Brittany Rebecca Helton

A Message to Survivors

We encourage survivors to gather, to remember, to speak aloud the precious names of those lost to suicide. You are in a safe place with those who understand.

If you are very new to the tragedy of suicide loss, despair may be your companion. We hope you find some time to rest your burden and share it with those of us who need no explanation.

There is no map on this path to becoming whole. It is the most painful of journeys — full of twists and turns, bruised hearts and misunderstandings. Small wonders appear on this path but we may be too sore or fragile to recognize them. But there will be a day when you can look back and know that they were there.

We share your loneliness. We share your sorrow. We share your questions. We honor those we love who have been lost to suicide. May the radiance and beauty of their lives never be defined by their deaths.

Survivors are the most courageous people we know. Be well, be peaceful, be hopeful.

Excerpt from AFSP: Surviving Suicide Loss.

Please read these… you may be able to help someone save their own life:

Suicide Facts

• Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.
• Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.
• There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS.
• Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.
• Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.
• In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.
• Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.
• Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.
• For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
• 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.
• 15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.
• There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.
• The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old: 65 per 100,000 persons.
• 1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 commit suicide each year.
• Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.
• The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.
• By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world. (World Health Organization)
• In 2004, 32,439 people died by suicide. (CDC)
• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 15th). (CDC)
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)
• It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)
• An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS)
• There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)
• Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.
• Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.
• Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.
• Last year SAVE received 810 requests for information from 72 countries.
• In 2004 it is estimated there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the US. (AAS)
• There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)
• According to the Violent Death Reporting System, in 2004 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).

Excerpt from SAVE | Suicide Facts.