Subject: Community

Resources: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org)

Summary: Suicide is often an unmentionable topic and affects thousands of people daily. In the United States more than 33,000 suicides occur each year. Internationally, in only the past ten years, 5 million suicides have occurred worldwide. Add to that the fact that suicides attempts may be up to 20 times more common than suicide deaths. Suicide is one of the top three causes of death in ages 15-44.

Such a social problem calls for caring people to bring help and hope to bear in troubled lives. The National Suicide Prevention LifeLine (1-800-723-TALK) provides 24-hours-a-day assistance and support for persons facing suicide crises or similar mental health emergencies. The website offers over resources and assistance. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers other aid, particularly to those living with grief over a suicide. These sites allow caring persons to bring encouragement and assistance to friends and relatives who are facing these crises.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (1 Corinthians 1:3-47 ESV).”