Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Suicide Prevention

By Tim Gamble

A few years ago, a neighbor committed suicide. This was someone I knew personally and talked to on many occasions. He left behind a wife, grown children, and young grandchildren.

I once had the privilege of talking to a veteran who serves on the honor guard at military funerals. He told me about the number of funerals he has served in recent years, and how many of those were suicides. It was a shocking number.

There is definitely a suicide epidemic happening. It is not only veterans and current military personal, but also older folks and teenagers, men and women, married folks and single folks. There is no one demographic. There is no one root cause. It is everywhere. 

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please ask for and get help. If you know someone who may be having suicidal thoughts, or who may be suffering from depression, PTSD, or other problems, please say something to encourage them to seek help. There are no easy answers, but silence is always the wrong answer.

Where to Get Help*
   
❗ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

❗ Veteran's Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255
Website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ 


❗ Anxiety and Depression Association of America Website: https://adaa.org/

❗ SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline – 1-877-726-4727  (Get general information on mental health and locate mental health & treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.)

❗ Refer to the article Finding Help: When to Get It and Where to Go on the Mental Health America website. 

❗ Local clergy (pastors, priests, rabbis) often will be able to refer you to local programs, support groups, and counselors that can help.

* Having relationship with God is a very important part of getting help. I encourage everyone to seek relationship with the Creator, to pray and read the Bible daily, and to seek fellowship with like-mined-believers. 

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