I was in awe of the response to my post about my suicide attempt. Your comments and stories were nothing short of moving and heartfelt. More than one your stories or comments brought tears to my eyes.
I was amazed at how many of you had been directly affected by suicide. It seems such a taboo topic, you don’t realize how may people it actually affects. I apologize I haven’t written the next part of the memoir yet, life has been getting in the way. Hang tight its coming though.
I thought I would lay out some actual facts on suicide for you.
In 2006:
- Suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death for all ages.
- More than 33,000 suicides occurred in the U.S. This is the equivalent of 91 suicides per day; one suicide every 16 minutes or 10.95 suicides per 100,000 population.
- Males take their own lives at nearly four times the rate of females and represent 79.0% of all U.S. suicides.
- During their lifetime, women attempt suicide about two to three times as often as men.
- Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death for males and the sixteenth leading cause for females.
- Suicide rates for males are highest among those aged 75 and older.
- Suicide rates for females are highest among those aged 45-54.
- Firearms are the most commonly used method of suicide among males (56.0%).
- Poisoning is the most common method of suicide for females (40.3%).
- Among young adults ages 15 to 24 years old, there are approximately 100-200 attempts for every completed suicide.
- In 2007, 14.5% of U.S. high school students reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey; 6.9% of students reported that they had actually attempted suicide one or more times during the same period.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 25-34 year olds and the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds.
I could go on, while it is rare for children to commit suicide it does happen. The chances greatly increase after the age of fifteen.
This my friends, is why I am vehemently against firearms. All of them. I think handguns should be completely illegal to purchase, and I think all rifles should be kept under strict lock and key. I am not looking to start a debate here, it is just my opinion.
I can honestly say with 100% assurance that if my parents had owned a gun and it was readily available to me, I would be dead.
I can not urge you enough to lock up your firearms, and put your medications in a safe place. Once my boys get older (like 10) all of my medications will be locked up, due to the type I take and the toxicity of them.
While my parents knew there was something awry with me, they had no idea, nor would they ever have envisioned the magnitude of my depression.
Thank you so very much for all of the support and the stories shared. I was so hesitant to share my stories, but after the countless thank you’s, and I have been there’s, I know I made the right decision and I will continue to share more.
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Thanks for sharing these - these numbers are so sad and scary. I hope in the future we can do more to help people survive and push through by their demons.
ReplyDeleteThose numbers are astounding. I applaud you for writing about this subject, as well as your honesty and bravery!!!
ReplyDeleteYou were on my mind this morning on my drive to work. I've missed you! Thank you for posting this info. While disturbing, I think it is something that some of us don't even think about but it is really good to know.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
My mom tried to commit suicide around the same age by drinking a bottle of bleach. She never thought she was strong enough/good enough, and her parents weren't much help in that department either. How wrong they were.
ReplyDeleteFor the first three months of her pregnancy with me, she was told she had a "rapidly growing tumor" that had to be removed; they almost aborted me!
She never thought she could be a mother, let alone a good one.
I am so thankful to God her life was preserved, as was mine. She is such a loving, giving, wonderful mom. She tells me all the time she can't believe someone like me came from someone like her, but I know better.
Ezra and your family are blessed to have you. Rest in God's strength and continue in your purpose. You will be a part of great moments as you watch your children grow and become everything you hoped for.
Big hugs to you!!
When my brother was 13 he tried to kill himself. It was the single most terrifying night of my life, the worst thing in the world. If anyone EVER feels that low PLEASE seek help. If not for you, for your family and friends. We break when you break, and we can't stand the thought of losing you.
ReplyDeleteThat night will forever be burned in my mind as the worst day of my life thusfar.
You are brave and strong, and I admire you for those reasons and more. You write beautifully, and you show yourself to be a loving and giving person. Take good care of yourself. We need you.
ReplyDeleteI think nearly everyone knows somebody who has died as a result of suicide. It is scary and touches so many. the best thing we can do is this- talk about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. A family member is bipolar and has sometimes hurt himself badly. And in strange ways.
ReplyDeleteI so admire you in SO many ways! You are an inspiration to so many people, myself included.
ReplyDeleteI have taught my children a healthy respect for medication because of the medications I am on, but have also kept them out of reach.
Thanks for always being there for us, you have helped in more ways than you will ever know.