Do not Despair

Everyone has heard the news about Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain.  My husband thoroughly enjoyed watching Bourdain and reading his book.  We were shocked.  I really didn't know anything about Kate Spade except that she was married to actor David Spade's brother, and I loved her designs.  But Bourdain?  He seemed so  stable and balanced, which proves you never know what someone is going through.

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I also learned some things I didn't know.  The suicide rate has gone up 25% in the last 30 years.  I learned that the increase has been seen in both genders, all races, and all ages.  I learned the US is not doing well in training mental health professionals.  I learned that we have inadequate funding for prevention and mental health research.

Did you know that in 40 of the 50 United States, suicide prevention training is NOT required for health professionals?

Did you know that 2/3 of gun-related deaths are suicides?

Did you know that the CDC found that 54% of Americans who committed suicide had NO known mental health illness?

It's been suggested that just like we teach people to read and write, we need to teach people to cope with loss and disappointment.  I would take that opportunity.

I want to include this link here that a friend posted on Facebook:  If You Stick Around (a Letter...)

And I'll leave this right here, too.

Where to get help

From Canada or US: If you're in an emergency, please call 911

You can contact the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Test Line by texting HOME to 741741

Young people in need of help can call Kids Help Phone on 1-800-668-6868

If you are in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116123

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