Suicide Prevention

okay so September 6-12th was National Suicide Prevention week, and-being part of the TWLOHA Street Team-I wanted to share with you why Suicide Prevention is important to me.
Here are some statistics that show how our world is impacted by suicide:

Every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds.
In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years in some countries, and the second leading cause of death in the 10-24 years age group; these figures do not include suicide attempts which are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide.
Suicide worldwide is estimated to represent 1.8% of the total global burden of disease in 1998, and 2.4% in countries with market and former socialist economies in 2020.
Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the male elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of countries, in both developed and developing countries.
Mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use disorders) are a major risk factor for suicide in Europe and North America; however, in Asian countries impulsiveness plays an important role. Suicide is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved

The statistic that is most shocking to me is the very first one, about the global mortality rate, where it says that one person dies ever 40 seconds. That means that in every minute, one more person has been lost to suicide.

On a more personal level, this is why suicide prevention means so much to me: My cousin a few years back was going through a lot of stuff. Part of it was his fault, but that didnt change the reactions or feelings he had. He was agnostic, and he pretty much hated life. He used to cut his arms, and it was hard to see the scars, and tough to see the discord between him and the rest of our family. I'm happy to say that he is no longer agnostic or a cutter. He now goes to church almost every week, and he's getting along a lot better with his family.
Also there was a girl who was new in our school last year. I dont know her whole story, but i do know she was also a cutter. I also know she was going through a lot. But as before, I can happily say that she is a new Christian, and she's using her beautiful singing voice to praise God =)

Statistics were found at http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/index.html