Suicide prevention that really C.A.R.E.S.
Mandi Rainwater
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Opinion
On Nov. 28, 2007, I was notified that my ex-husband had committed suicide. I was left with the task of explaining to our daughter, as well as my son, that he had died. As time passed, what I had been assured would fade into the background, came roaring to the forefront of our everyday lives. His death was more difficult for the children to deal with than anyone could have anticipated. In July of the following year, I saw a news report about the opening of Southwest Florida's only suicide prevention resource center. I no longer had to feel isolated with my questions and concerns. I e-mailed Community Awareness in Recognizing and Educating on Suicide, better known as C.A.R.E.S. Suicide Prevention a few days later. I explained my situation to them - about his death and my financial difficulties and how this had prevented me from getting help. My e-mail was answered tenfold with support, both psychological and financial. My association with C.A.R.E.S. grew from there as I learned the disturbing statistics and saw the desperate need for help at all levels of the community.
There is an act of suicide completed every 16 minutes in the United States. That translates to more than 33,000 deaths a year. For every one person that dies by suicide, there is an average of six survivors left behind. Of those six, one more will attempt suicide, if they can't find help. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. One in 12 students has not only thought of suicide, but they have a plan for carrying out the act. Women will attempt four times more often than men; however, they use methods that allow for them to be saved if discovered in time, making their attempts less successful. Common examples are hangings or drug overdoses. Men complete the act of suicide more than women because they tend to use more violent methods, such as gunshots.
There are warning signs to look for if you think someone may be in crisis. If a person becomes withdrawn from their normal activities, begins to give away prized possessions, or is becoming increasingly agitated or depressed they may need immediate assistance. For people who fall into these categories and similar others, there is C.A.R.E.S. They offer assistance to those in crisis to help prevent them from taking their own lives. C.A.R.E.S. can help direct people to psychiatric facilities, provide discussion lines for those who just need to talk and even provide internet resources if you are more comfortable typing than talking.
There is an act of suicide completed every 16 minutes in the United States. That translates to more than 33,000 deaths a year. For every one person that dies by suicide, there is an average of six survivors left behind. Of those six, one more will attempt suicide, if they can't find help. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. One in 12 students has not only thought of suicide, but they have a plan for carrying out the act. Women will attempt four times more often than men; however, they use methods that allow for them to be saved if discovered in time, making their attempts less successful. Common examples are hangings or drug overdoses. Men complete the act of suicide more than women because they tend to use more violent methods, such as gunshots.
There are warning signs to look for if you think someone may be in crisis. If a person becomes withdrawn from their normal activities, begins to give away prized possessions, or is becoming increasingly agitated or depressed they may need immediate assistance. For people who fall into these categories and similar others, there is C.A.R.E.S. They offer assistance to those in crisis to help prevent them from taking their own lives. C.A.R.E.S. can help direct people to psychiatric facilities, provide discussion lines for those who just need to talk and even provide internet resources if you are more comfortable typing than talking.
Be the first to comment on this story