April: Help to prevent suicide

We have touched on suicide on several books at rgz, so our fantastic postergirl Jackie made this document for us. I thought to share it again as each of Ellen's characters has been hospitalized for attempted suicide.

If you or your friend is contemplating this act, GET HELP NOW. Each individual matters to our world.

Suicide is the third most common way for young people ages 10-24 to die. More worrisome is that for every suicide death among young people ages 15-24 there are 100-200 failed attempts. In 2005, 16.9% of U.S. high school students revealed that they had thoughts of attempting suicide in the preceding 12 months.*

Suicide is serious, but it is preventable. If you are thinking about suicide or someone you know is exhibiting signs that they might make an attempt on their own life, please use the resources below. All calls are confidential.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

1-800-273-TALK

1-800-273-8255

Call this 24-hour hotline for any kind of emotional distress ranging from suicide and mental illness to homelessness, loneliness and family problems. They’ll listen, and refer you to resources in your area.

National Hopeline Network

www.hopeline.com

1-800-SUICIDE

1-800-784-2433

This 24-hour hotline will seamlessly and immediately connect you to the crisis center closest to the place you are calling from.

The Trevor Helpline

www.thetrevorproject.org

866-4-U-TREVOR

866-488-7386

A 24-hour suicide prevention helpline focused on helping gay or questioning youth, but anyone is welcome to call.

Read more about suicide, warning signs, and general mental health issues:

http://www.copecaredeal.org

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/

http://www.teenscreen.org/teens

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teenmentalhealth.html

* http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/Suicide/default.htm