Robin Williams: Suicide is not an issue

No who who attempts or who successfully commits suicide is a coward. It is an act of desperation. When you see no end to the pain, no end to the anguish, no end to the suffering, no end to the torture, no end to the turmoil. The only way out is to not be here anymore. That is not being a coward. It is finding a solution to something that seems to have no other means to end. It is living in hell day after day after day after day until finally you see one door that will get you out. You do not know where that door leads but you know it leads out of hell!
So sad to hear of the suicide by Robin Williams. I was just saying to my husband that in all of the years I have been on Facebook, I have never seen anyone's death rock and rattle so many people as this one has. My news feed has been blowing up with people posting about Robin Williams. I have never seen anyone else's death have near this impact. If only he knew. Would it have mattered?

Two friends have thanked me, as a result, for what I do. I am honored to work with people who have depression, bi-polar and an array of mental health issues. I help people through the dark. I see people get better. It can get better. Never give up hope. Know that there are people who care and people who want to help!

I hope that something good comes out of this such as more awareness, less stigma, more services and supports, better coverage by health insurance policies and greater education/prevention. We have a long way to go!!

Knowledge is power: Suicide Facts

Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.

Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.

There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS.

Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.

Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.

In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.

Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.

Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.

For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.

Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.

80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.

15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.

There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.

The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old: 65 per 100,000 persons.

1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 commit suicide each year.

Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.

The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.

By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world. (World Health Organization)

In 2004, 32,439 people died by suicide. (CDC)

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 15th). (CDC)

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)

It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)

An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS)

There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)

Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.

Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.

Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.

Last year SAVE received 810 requests for information from 72 countries.

In 2004 it is estimated there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the US. (AAS)

There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)

According to the Violent Death Reporting System, in 2004 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).

http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=705D5DF4-055B-F1EC-3F66462866FCB4E6
Thank you,
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon