Did you know that depression is more common than AIDS,
cancer, and diabetes combined, and nearly 400,000 people attempt suicide in the
U.S. every year? That is approximately 50,000 more than entire resident
population of Honolulu, Hawaii (tourists don’t count in this one). Take a moment
and think about that number, four hundred thousand.
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History has shown that suicide attempts do
not peak during the holiday season but do increase in the Spring.
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Suicide rates are approximately 70% higher in
areas greater than 6,000 feet in elevation.
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American Indians and Native Alaskans have the
highest risk of suicide at a rate of 14.3 people per every 100,000 people.
Compare that to 13.5 per 100,000 for Caucasians and 5-6 per 100,000 for other
races.
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A family history of depression increases the changes
a child will suffer the same by a factor of 11.
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Only one in every 10-15 suicide attempts results
in death.
Lessons learned have shown us that we need to care. It is no
longer an “if” anymore but a “when”. We are a community of people who are real.
And real people hurt. Some hurts are temporary while others take too long to
heal. We are a community that is facing horrific acts of bullying and violence secondary
to race, color, religion, gender, and National origin.
We as human beings need to look at those we care about and
check in with them. Not everyone cries out for help. It is up to use to read
between the lines of the conversations to find those cries for help. We need to
care.
I believe we can do better. I believe we truly care.
I believe I can do better. I believe I truly care.
Even one life is too many to lose.
While we should do this
daily, I encourage you on the 22nd of every month to call and check your battle
buddy. It takes just a moment. Military or not, we deserve to see each other
tomorrow.
#twloha
- a safe place to talk
via text with a counselor when you can't or are afraid to use your voice
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