Lately, health officials have been raising awareness of
suicide in the U.S. The rate of suicidal deaths has escalated exponentially, especially among military personnel and younger Americans.
To help prevent causes leading to suicide and to raise
awareness of the tragic deaths, health officials are spearheading a
program that will reach Facebook and several private companies.
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services administration, 100 Americans are victim to suicide every 24 hours in
the U.S. Most prominent among those susceptible to suicide are people age 18 to
24. Suicide is the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and
cancer.
The new strategy plans to bring together the government,
private owned businesses, and schools and communities to raise awareness,
increase prevention efforts, and develop treatments for those most likely to
commit suicide.
Most surprising of all is the news that military suicides
have caused more death among soldiers than actual combat. Some of them aren’t
even combat related, having occurred before the soldiers were even deployed.
What you can do to
prevent suicide
If someone you know shows symptoms that they are at risk for
suicide, there are several actions you can take. First, understand the
symptoms, which can include:
- Increased signs of depression, such as constant feelings of worthlessness, absence of pleasure in past hobbies and activities, and difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Talking about killing or harming oneself or increased interest in the subject of death
- Seeking out objects with which to harm or kill oneself
- Signs of drug and alcohol abuse
- Signs of hopelessness
- Withdrawal from friends and family, or increased social isolation
- Sudden sense of calm and happiness after extreme depression
Several ways you can
help someone at risk for suicide are:
Talking: Talk
therapy is one of the best forms of therapy that can prevent a person from
feeling depressed and overwhelmed.
Respond quickly:
Evaluate the immediate danger. If you feel like the situation is beyond your
control, call a prevention hotline. Never leave the person by themselves.
Offer help and
support: Let the person know that you are there for them. Continue to talk,
encourage, and follow-up to help them get through the difficulties.
To find out more about suicide prevention and what you can
do, read more
about it.
Has someone you known
become a victim to suicide?
Suicide is one of the most leading causes of death, and is
completely preventable if the right person acts responsibly.
What if you’ve loved someone due to suicide. What if you
found out someone could have prevented it, and didn’t?
If you’ve lost someone due to suicide and wrongful death, you may be
eligible for a claim. Though it is difficult to determine whether or not you
can receive compensation, you should speak to a wrongful death attorney about your case.
Suicide is a serious matter. Wrongful deaths should never be
taken lightly. Fight for the justice of a loved one.
