Suicide Awareness Week

“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”

~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

This week is a focus on suicide awareness as we attempt to raise understanding of depression, mental illness, and the consequences of not treating them. Please read the transcript of today's #SuicideChat as it is national #suicide awareness week. Imagine a #worldwithoutsuicide . Link:http://t.co/wJdy9IFhny

I have written before about being the last to speak to my grandfather before he took his own life. This was in my younger years. I also unfortunately felt depressed to the point of attempting to do the same. By the grace of God I did not succeed. As I look back on now more than forty years on this earth; I see joy in a daughter growing up and sadness in others who use suicide threats as a lashing out for self indulged hurt.

The difficulty in all of this is that very few of us are medical and mental health professionals with the keen understanding of how to recognize when there is a cry for help or simply a cry for attention. In either case, there needs to be swift response; the risk of consequence is too grave to afford idle reaction.

If you yourself feel in crisis, or you recognize that in another, call. Please. Now. 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Go to www.afsp,org and learn the signs and best responses to this frightening situation. Please trust me when I say you will likely not be saving just one life; but the others left behind should you or your loved one succeed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.