Just a Thought....Suicide.

Just a Thought.....Suicide. So the other day I heard a story on the radio about a kid who was only fourteen years who dies from suicide because he was didn't think that his life would change. He had been moved from foster home to foster home and because he had behavior issues, his temporary foster parents were trying to get him moved to a different home. The boy didn't want to have to face moving again so he decided to end his life. This made me so sad and I remember shedding a tear because of his decision and that no one in his environment even took the time to check to make sure he was going to be okay. I just couldn't help to think if there is enough being done to help find people like this child when they are on the brink of making that ultimate fatal decision. I see that people make a post and copy and paste it on social media with good intentions. It's like posting a Go out and vote but never leaving your house because it's too much of an inconvenience. I like that Logic did a song and made the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number the title to the song. I think that kind of attention is what is needed for this nationwide problem and the exposure is so crucial. I am writing because I believe that we can do more..there are volunteer opportunities with local outfits that help council anyone that might need help. I understand that we could never understand the depths that go through someone's mind when contemplating taking their own life. But as friends and family of some of these people learn, they begin to feel regret and remorse that as close as they were, they didn't see the signs clearly. I believe that we will never be able to irradiate this type of epidemic but if only one life is saved because someone saw the signs and knew enough to try and help, then it is all worth the effort. Here are some main risk factors for suicide:

A prior suicide attempt

Depression and other mental health disorders

Substance abuse disorder

Family history of a mental health or substance abuse disorder

Family history of suicide

Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse

Having guns or other firearms in the home

Being in prison or jail

Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as a family member, peer, or media figure

Medical illness

Being between the ages of 15 and 24 years or over age 60

If you see any of these factors in someone that you know, a family member, a loved one, a friend, a co-worker. Just ask if they are okay or need help, it never hurts to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on.

If You Know Someone in Crisis: Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1–800–273–TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1–800–799–4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the NSPL’s website. The Crisis Text Line is another resource available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text “HOME” to 741741.

If you see or know someone on social media that might need help, Many social media sites have a process to report suicidal content and get help for the person posting the message. Here is a list of the social media site to help report:

Facebook Suicide Prevention webpage can be found at www.facebook.com/help/594991777257121/ [use the search term “suicide” or “suicide prevention”].

Instagram uses automated tools in the app to provide resources, which can also be found online at https://help.instagram.com [use the search term, “suicide,” self-injury,” or “suicide prevention”]

Snapchat’s Support provides guidance at https://support.snapchat.com [use the search term, “suicide” or “suicide prevention”]

Twitter’s Best Practices in Dealing With Self-Harm and Suicide at https://support.twitter.com [use the search term “suicide,” “self-harm,” or “suicide prevention”].

YouTube’s Safety Center webpage can be found at https://support.google.com/youtube [use the search term “suicide and self-injury”].

Together we can all help and make the world a better place, so until we meet again tomorrow. This was....just a thought.

Source for some of this information was taken from:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq/index.shtml