Everyminute.org

Every minute in this country a suicide is attempted. In the work I do, it is not uncommon to hear of a suicide in the family of an acquaintance or to have someone send a tearful email after viewing the website or hearing a presentation. If I’m not careful, I could become numb to each event, if for no other reason than to stuff the pain. But I can’t. WE can’t. Each suicide leaves behind family and friends who sob with anguish and wonder what living with the hole left behind will be like. Each person fills a place in the universe for a purpose. No life is meaningless. No suicide is meaningless.
When you hear that over 33,000 people in this country committed suicide last year, is that number so large that it is dismissed? There are mothers in that number who will never again tuck their children in bed at night. There are young teenagers who will never feel the awesome sense of accomplishment when they get their driver’s license.
Yes, over 33,000 people are lost to suicide. But what is the number of people who are affected by these losses? 75,000? 100,000? If one person is close with only 4 people, that is nearly 135,000 people in this country who are devastated by loss! Loss that can be prevented with proper education and information. We must not take any mention of suicide lightly. People say “well, they are just trying to get attention”. YES!!! YOU’RE RIGHT!!! People need enough attention to dissuade them from ending their lives! There are many resources available to help people through depression and other serious mental illnesses. Costs associated with suicide – cost for first hospital admission can run over $5,000. There after run from $3,000 to over $30,000. Lifetime financial loss to society and the family of a working adult (25-65) that falls victim to suicide is nearly one million dollars! Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. There is education material available both written and on the web.
During this Suicide Prevention Week, please educate yourself on the signs of suicidal ideations and on where to seek help. Because everyminute in this country a suicide is attempted.

Michael Corbin