Spreading awareness, no matter the cause must be taken seriously
Spreading awareness, no matter the cause, might appear worthless and superficial. However, the power over that rests in the individual who chooses they will tell the story, donate or volunteer.
One such day of awareness is World Suicide Prevention Day that, whether you know it or not, influences your life in some measure and must be taken seriously.
The World Health Organization mentioned that suicide kills more than 800,000 people each year, globally. In 2014, approximately 43,000 were Americans. In Texas and the U.S., suicide is the second-leading reason of death for 10- to 34-year-olds.
The event that first started in 2003, World Suicide Prevention Day, tries to raise awareness of the power that suicide has and also help lessen the stigma circling related mental health problems.
Recently, more organizations like To Write Love on Her Arms are adopting this day as an essential waypoint to start the conversation on suicide and mental health. Their goal is to inspire hope to people and to let them know they are not alone.
Non-profit organizations like National Alliance on Mental Illness are trying to bring support and local resources.
The public policy leader for the NAMI Texas, says he wants to increase access to treatment while bringing mental health problems out of the shadows. The organization is aiming to enhance through advocacy, education and support the lives of individuals affected by mental illness.
Schools play a fundamental role, along with medical professionals and parents in recognizing kids who may be at risk of suicide.
The leader of Catholic University’s Suicide Prevention Lab, David Jobes, believes that people are usually avoiding the topic and consider it something that is better left unsaid. He also asserted that one of the biggest myths regarding suicide is that children don’t consider it. Jobes also tried to raise awareness of the fact that suicide is not an impulsive decision but rather a planned activity.
It is where schools and parents must intervene. Moreover, suicide is not always caused by depression although in 40 to 50 percent of the cases, individuals that ended their lives were depressed.
We certainly can save lives and make a difference with proper support, identification, and treatments specific to suicide. Most of the people who consider suicide, don’t want to dye. They are showing others warning signs and communicate what they do not want to do. However, individuals must be there to notice all the signs and lead them to the proper care they need.
Image source: Wikipedia
Michael Turner
