Suicide has become a pandemic in our world. Every year in Canada, close to 4,000 people kill themselves - that's an average of 10 suicides a DAY!!! It it the second leading cause of death among 24-35-year-olds, third leading cause of death in 15-24-year-olds. People, listen up! Suicide was the sixth leading cause of death of 5-14-year-olds in 2002! 5-year-olds! Kindergarteners! Time magazine has published an article about a study: 40% of Kids Who Attempt Suicide First Try in Elementary or Middle School.
We need to wake up, open our ears, and listen to these kids! Kids don't just wake up one day and decide they're going to kill themselves. There's a lot that happens in their minds that lead up to that point. (Trust me, I've been there...) These kids are crying out for help, and nobody's hearing them!
Depression is becoming really big among kids/adolescents. Can you blame them? With bullying getting progressively worse, where they can't even avoid it in their own homes because of cyber-bullying, can you blame them? Two thirds of people who struggle with depression don't get help. And depression that goes undiagnosed and untreated is the number one cause of suicide.
Check in with your kids! Check in with your friends! If you suspect depression or suicide, ask them about it! Trust me, if they're seriously contemplating suicide, they are more willing to open up to a close friend who cares enough to reach out.
There are organisations too that can help. There is the International Suicide Prevention Wiki that has links to places to call within Manitoba.
There are also online resources. One that I am a big supporter of is To Write Love On Her Arms. There is also IMAlive, which is the world's first virtual crisis centre. It is an online one-on-one chat that staffed 24/7 by people who are trained and certified in crisis intervention.
This week is suicide prevention week, with September 10th being World Suicide Prevention Day. And right now, IMAlive is needing our help. They are run by volunteers, and so they need funds to keep providing 24/7 access to help. Here is Molly's story, as a crisis intervention volunteer:
How much is a life worth? How much is it worth to save? Please pray about it, and donate. Believe me, it is a worthy cause.
Donate online to IMAlive 24-7 Giving Challenge at Razoo
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