Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among persons aged 15-24 years.
The 2nd among persons aged 25-34 years.
The 4th among person aged 35-54 years.
The eighth among person 55-64 years.
I share this post because five years ago, Mother’s Day changed forever for me. It took nearly all of that time for me to process it and actively try to help others deal with their aftermath. In past years, I stayed silent until the day passed. No matter how old you are, losing your mother is impactful. Losing her to suicide, only complicates the grief.
I lost my husband to cancer, while still in my 20’s and knew the pain losing someone slowly–of watching them face death, but the suddenness and the confusion surrounding suicide leaves deep scars. You can talk about cancer. You can usually say goodbye. You can’t talk about suicide, and most complicated of all is the anger you don’t fully understand yourself.
I hope by sharing this information more people will understand the importance of awareness and just how common suicide is. We spend our time worried about sharks, airplanes, snakes and spiders, when we are more likely to die by our own hand. There were more suicides in my county last year, than vehicular fatalities. Knowing the risks and acting fast are key.
For every one successful suicide, there are 25 attempts. No one ever talks about it because it’s uncomfortable, impossible to understand, incites anger within and is tragically painful.
On this Mother’s Day, my heart goes out to every mother (biological, adoptive or acting) and especially goes out to those mothers who have lost children and children who have lost mothers, because of one of the many diseases that manifest with this symptom, that leaves no second chance.
SOME VALUABLE RESOURCES
IF YOU ARE IN SUICIDAL CRISIS PLEASE CALL 800-273-TALK (8255).
HELP FOR SOMEONE THREATENING SUICIDE – http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/someone.aspx
IF YOU HAVE LOST SOMEONE TO SUICIDE – visit:http://www.afsp.org/copingwithsuicide
http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/Suicide_DataSheet-a.pdf
As someone who has been touched by the lose of multiple family members and friends due to suicide I admire the fact that you have reached out and are trying to help others. And I also want to say I’m sorry you’ve had to experience it.