Archive for September, 2009
Suicide Rates Remain Highest Among White Men Over 65
Posted by: | CommentsSuicide rates among adolescents and youth in some areas of the nation have increased dramatically. At the other end of the age spectrum, suicide rates remain the highest among white males over the age of 65. Differences are also occurring in some racial groups with the rates of suicide among young African American males showing significant increases.
Source: State of Montana Suicide Prevention Plan at http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/stateplans/plan_mt.pdf
Suicide Rates Show More Colorado Farmers Losing Hope
Posted by: | Comments“The phone calls usually come in the evening after the machinery goes silent on farms across the country. The callers speak of dwindling cash flows, crumbling marriages. Some admit they’re holding a loaded gun. ”
“Across a wide swath of rural America, increasing numbers of farmers are considering taking their lives. ”
“The nation’s largest network of crisis hotlines for agricultural workers reports a spike of 2,000 calls through May compared with the same period last year — a 20 percent increase. ”
Read more at The Denver Post site at http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12506134
Suicide prevention: Push back the darkness, let in the light
Posted by: | Comments“No one is sure why Alaska’s suicide rate has risen for four straight years and is the nation’s highest. Alaska can round up the usual suspects — alcohol and drug abuse, hopelessness, isolation, poverty, wretched family lives, lack of opportunity, sexual abuse, biological factors, culture, history, racism — but we still won’t have all the answers. We do have some answers, however. And as Susan Soule, mental health consultant and former director of the state’s suicide prevention program, points out, we know the important questions.”
“Soule quoted the late Edwin Schneidman, the father of suicide prevention, who said the work boiled down to two questions:
‘Where do you hurt? How may I help you?’ ”
