IF YOU ARE IN DANGER OR SUICIDAL CALL 911 !!!! Minnesota Suicide Hotlines Crisis Text Line TXT4Life - A suicide prevention resource for residents in Minnesota Free Anonymous Support... Go to the Message Boards or Email Me For National Suicide Hotlines click HERE or call 1-800-SUICIDE OR READ THIS FIRST OR If you feel you are in a crisis and need to speak to someone immediately and you live in the United States, you can call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - A free, confidential, 24 hour hotline for anyone who is going through emotional distress or is in suicidal crisis. How to Respond to Someone Who is Suicidal Teen suicide survey results point to guns, depression and stigma Suicide Rate for Teen Girls Hits 40-Year High FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE The majority of suicide attempts are expressions of extreme distress that need to be addressed, and NOT just a harmless bid for attention. A suicidal person should NOT be left alone and needs immediate mental health treatment. ***Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for teens throughout the United States - IT IS AN EPIDEMIC. If depressive illnesses are left untreated, they can be fatal. Approximately 44,000 people kill themselves in the United States each year. Because of inaccurate reporting (such as recording a suicide as an accident), researchers suggest that the actual figure may be three times higher Anytime you seriously entertain the thought "I would be better off dead" or "My life is worthless and my family might be in better shape collecting my life insurance," you should pick up the phone and get help. ***** Depressive illnesses can distort a person's thinking so that they don't think clearly or rationally. They may think they can't be helped. Their illness can cause thoughts of hopelessness and helplessness, which may then lead to suicidal thoughts. In order to save lives, it is critical that society recognizes the warning signs of these biological diseases that cause suicide. But the stigma associated with these illnesses often prevents public education and early treatment for sufferers. The topic of suicides has always been taboo. It is a subject that is misunderstood by most people, thereby allowing myths to be perpetuated. Society has a STIGMA regarding DEPRESSION. People need to be educated so they understand DEPRESSION is an ILLNESS!! General Information and Statistics: Over 44,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year. Currently, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States for all ages (However it is the 9th leading cause of death in Minnesota) For every suicide, there are 25 attempts. Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death. There are four male suicides for every female suicide, but three times as many females as males attempt suicide. Youth Suicide *****Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for ages 15-34. *****Suicide is the third leading cause of death among persons aged 10-14. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED. Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 5,240 suicide attempts by young people grades 7-12. Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given warning signs The Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBS) is a survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that includes national, state, and local school-based representative samples of 9th through 12th grade students. The purpose is to monitor priority health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth in the United States. The surveys are conducted every two years to determine the prevalence of these health risk behaviors. Behaviors that contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and those that indicate possible depression and/or suicidal ideation are included. Click here for the full report . Frequently, case workers find that suicidal youth did not intend to die from their attempted suicide. For every two victims of homicide in the U.S. there are three deaths from suicide. There are now twice as many deaths due to suicide than due to HIV/AIDS. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease, combined. LINKS Common Misconceptions About Suicide Why do Teens Try to Kill Themselves? Basic Elements To Consider When Addressing A Suicidal Young Person Common Warning Signs of Suicidal Ideation Common Profile Characteristics of a Suicidal Teen An Open Letter to The Administrators at Wayzata High School - Regarding Recent Suicides SUICIDE: WHAT THERAPISTS NEED TO KNOW - There are many misconceptions about suicide. This continuing-education article helps to set the record straight. Email: julieflynn58@yahoo.com