Suicide Awareness - B1 Pledge

The Jason Foundation (jasonfoundation.com) was founded by a father who lost his 16 year old son in 1997 to suicide.  His name was Jason.  He started this foundation to bring awareness and stop youth suicides.  Not talking about it, isn't what brings change.  Education and making people aware of the "signs" to look for.  Also letting people know what resources are available.  You can't help someone if you don't recognize the signs.  

Youth Suicide Statistics

 Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for ages 10-24. (2013 CDC WISQARS)

• Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college-age youth and ages 12-18. (2013 CDC WISQARS)
• More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.
• Each day in our nation there are an average of over 5,400 attempts by young people grades 7-12.
• Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs

The Jason Foundation has also partnered with Rascal Flatts to for the B1 Pledge.  The link below will take you to a brochure about how to B1 for a friend.  It's about how to watch for signs and to what to do if someone needs help.   

http://jasonfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/b1_brochure_layout-11.pdf

Take the pledge and B1.  Know the warning signs.  

Warning Signs

Four out of five teens who attempt suicide give clear warning signs.

Warning Signs of suicidal ideation include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Talking about suicide
• Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• A deepening depression
• Preoccupation with death
• Taking unnecessary risks or exhibiting self-destructive behavior
• Out of character behavior
• A loss of interest in the things one cares about
• Visiting or calling people one cares about
• Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order
• Giving prized possessions away

Along with these warning signs, there are certain Risk Factors that can elevate the possibility of suicidal ideation.

• Perfectionist personalities
• Gay and Lesbian youth
• Learning disabled youth
• Loners
• Youth with low self- esteem
• Depressed youth
• Students in serious trouble
• Abused, Molested or Neglected Youth
• Genetic predisposition
• Parental history of violence, substance abuse, or divorce 

You may be the first and last person to see these signs in a young person.

The last statement is the one that gets me.  YOU may be the first and last person to see these signs in a young person.  YOU can make a difference, not by ignoring the silent epidemic but by not being afraid to get involved.  Make a difference in someones life.  Give them a future.