“YOU ARE NOT ALONE”.
When The Unspeakable Reality Is Finally Spoken.
If my post can have a positive effect on just one person a day every day. Then the potential possibilities to build a strong and prosperous prevention infrastructure are endless.
Let the sparks ignite an everlasting shining light. We can keep the dream alive.
When the unspeakable reality is finally spoken.
In the decade that has just finished. Only in the latter part of it was it ok to mention in conversation “suicide/mental health issues” and it not be looked upon as a taboo subject of conversation without stigma or the rolled eyes expressions of people thinking “here we go !! more attention-seeking from insecure people”. On reflection, this is just pure ignorance of others.
Statistics from around the world 2019
The countries with the highest suicide mortality rate worldwide include Lithuania, Russia, Guyana, and South Korea. Suicide rates of men are much higher than among women in many countries. Unsurprisingly, Lithuania, the country with the highest overall suicide rate, has the highest suicide rate for men.
In the United States
Although the United States is not among the countries with the highest suicide mortality rate, suicide is still one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. As with other countries, the suicide rate among males in the U.S. is much higher than among females. The age group with the highest rate of suicide is those aged 45 to 64 years, followed by 25 to 44-year-olds. The states with the highest suicide rates include Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
Risk factors and help
Major risk factors for suicide include mental health issues and substance abuse problems, however, it can be difficult to predict who is at risk. Warning signs such as talking about wanting to die, expressing feelings of depression, suicidal ideation, and abusing drugs or alcohol should be taken seriously and help should be sought as soon as possible. Suicide hotlines exist in many countries around the world and one should not hesitate to discuss such issues and feelings with a health care provider. Credits John Elflein, Aug 23, 2019.
Awareness
Today I want to remind people about the meteoric rise in the suicide of men and women. The reasons behind this are varied. Some are substance abuse related issues, others are mental health-related or relationship issues and even financial matters are the fundamental components for causes of death. The Suicide Prevention foundation and its founders are doing extraordinary things to help and support people. One of these brilliant things is a fantastic Facebook page created by Jay Crowe. It’s something I hold in high regard as it helped in my personal life experiences.
WHEN THE FLAME 🔥 GOES OUT.
MY REVIEW FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE.
“Because it’s a place where you feel there is hope. Where you can get things out in the open and not be vilified. It’s exactly 12 months now since my attempt and I’m still not getting the support of the service sectors. I am not alone with this issue. More importantly “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” “💛🖤💛🖤”
Here’s some of the content from the page, that has 14,500 plus followers.
This is, in my humble opinion is a powerful and compelling piece of beautifully written content.
The morning after I killed myself, I woke up. I made myself breakfast in bed. I added salt and pepper to my eggs and used my toast for a cheese and bacon sandwich. I squeezed a grapefruit into a juice glass. I scraped the ashes from the frying pan and rinsed the butter off the counter. I washed the dishes and folded the towels.
The morning after I killed myself, I fell in love. Not with the boy down the street or the middle school principal. Not with the everyday jogger or the grocer who always left the avocados out of the bag. I fell in love with my mother and the way she sat on the floor of my room holding each rock from my collection in her palms until they grew dark with sweat. I fell in love with my father down at the river as he placed my note into a bottle and sent it into the current. With my brother who once believed in unicorns but who now sat in his desk at school trying desperately to believe I still existed.
The morning after I killed myself, I walked the dog. I watched the way her tail twitched when a bird flew by or how her pace quickened at the sight of a cat. I saw the empty space in her eyes when she reached a stick and turned around to greet me so we could play catch but saw nothing but sky in my place. I stood by as strangers stroked her muzzle and she wilted beneath their touch as she did once for mine.
The morning after I killed myself, I went back to the neighbours’ yard where I left my footprints in concrete as a two-year-old and examined how they were already fading. I picked a few daylilies and pulled a few weeds and watched the elderly woman through her window as she read the paper with the news of my death. I saw her husband spit tobacco into the kitchen sink and bring her her daily medication.
The morning after I killed myself, I watched the sun come up. Each orange tree opened like a hand and the kid down the street pointed out a single red cloud to his mother.
The morning after I killed myself, I went back to that body in the morgue and tried to talk some sense into her. I told her about the avocados and the stepping stones, the river and her parents. I told her about the sunsets and the dog and the beach.
The morning after I killed myself, I tried to unkill myself, but couldn’t finish what I started.
By Meggie Royer
A heart-wrenching account from a young husband who has unfortunately lost his young wife.
“My beautiful wife shot herself on November 14th. She had two children. She locked herself in the bathroom and when I realized what she was about to do I pleaded with her desperately not too. She was only 39 but still looked 18. I loved her madly. My life is destroyed. 15 weeks later I still cry every day. My life and the children’s lives will never be the same again.”
A lady remembers her loving sister.
“This reminds me of my sister who took her life. As she laid in ICU, she cried out to my mother that “ she didn’t want to die,” but she did. That was 14 years ago and my heart still hurts.”
The post link above points of the hollow base of the N.H.S mental health services and how cruel incidents come to occur when this young woman could have been supported and helped with the correct structure in place.
Suicide data
W.H.O
Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is a global phenomenon and occurs throughout the lifespan. Effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. There are indications that for each adult who died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. This report below details the problem and pressures of the D.W.P broken benefits system.
Here is a summary of the key facts and trends from suicides that occurred in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2018.
Key facts from 2018
Total number of suicides
In the UK & Republic of Ireland, there were 6,859 suicides in 2018. In the UK, there were 6,507 suicides. In the Republic of Ireland, there were 352 suicides.
UK: an increase in the overall suicide rate
Deaths by suicide rose by 10.9% in the UK in 2018.
Suicide rates for men and women
In the UK, men are three times as likely to die by suicide than women. In the Republic of Ireland, the rate is four times higher among men than women.
Suicide rates by age and gender.
In the UK, the highest suicide rate is among men aged 45–49. In the Republic of Ireland, the highest rate is among men aged 55–65.
Key trends from 2018
UK: rising suicide rates in under-25s
The rate of deaths among under 25s increased by 23.7%, reaching 730 deaths in 2018.
UK: rising suicide rates in under-25s
The rate of deaths among under 25s increased by 23.7%, reaching 730 deaths in 2018.
UK: rising suicide rates in middle-aged men
Men aged 45–49 still have the highest rate of suicides. The suicide rate increased for this group in 2018.
Scotland: an increase in suicide in young men
In Scotland, the suicide rate among young people aged 15–24 increased by 52.7%. This is the highest it has been since 2007.
Republic of Ireland: continuing decrease in the suicide rate
In the Republic of Ireland, suicide rates have continued to fall for both men and women. In recent years, rates have fluctuated more than in the UK but are currently at their lowest since 1989.
Published by Samaritans December 2019
Hope, help & prevention.
We can make a significant difference to the statistics by allowing the silent voices and victims to hear the sound of positivity and prevention.
Provide ambitious leadership, resources, guidance and support to enable local policy-makers to put effective plans in place.
Set out ring-fenced funding for suicide prevention and direct this towards evidence-based interventions that support the most vulnerable groups.
Need help? United Kingdom:
116 123
Samaritans
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English
Website: www.samaritans.org
Research sources; Samaritans.org, Suicide Prevention,s Facebook Page & World Health Organisation.
Created:05/03/2020. Edited:17/05/2020
Brian Anthony Cumberlidge.
