One Month Later

I wish I could say with time this is getting easier to deal with....but it just isn't.  I feel like I am being unfair to my husband because I am overwhelmed with all these feelings.  When I made the choice to move my grief from Facebook to this blog that it would open my grief up to the World...not just those I chose to be "friends" with that I would open myself up for critisism.  I am ok with that....been dealing with it for many years when it comes to Jared.  I have been talked poorly about since I made the decision to remove Jared from his grandmother's care while I worked, nearly 15 years ago.  I have been called more names that I care to recall.  So maybe I am still in shock and numb but I really don't care if I am told that I am to blame....because it just isn't true.
When Jared made his choice one month ago, he gave me a new purpose and mission in life.  He was always helping others and asking me to as well when he knew we could help someone.  With Jared guiding me I will push to help others so they won't make the same choice he did.  I hope that together we all can bring awareness for this terrible disease and abolish the stigma that comes with it.  There is NO shame in asking for help.  There is NO shame in seeking medical treatment for problems with your mind.  After all, we seek treatment for everything else.  I am writing this post from our new office.  This room used to be known as Jared's bedroom.  Now it will be an office where different memories will be made.  A place where I will push for awareness of Suicide and the signs of it.  A place where I hope that the slogan "YOUR A KEEPER" catches on and is used in every school in the World along with implementation of a FREE program through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention called Beyond Just Sad.  I have learned so many statistics in the last month that it is mind boggling to me we don't have more "in your face" awareness.

Suicide is ranked the number _____ cause of death in the United States.

Every ____________ someone in the US dies from Suicide.

Every ____________ someone in the World dies from Suicide.

Do you know where your state ranks in suicide?
Tennessee is number 20!
Alaska and Nevada are tied for first.
The Western States and Southern States lead the nation in the highest rates.


Answers:
Suicide is ranked the number 10 cause of death in the United States.

Every 16 minutes someone in the US dies from Suicide.

Every 1 SECOND someone in the World dies from Suicide.

Pretty sad statics aren't they?  The Number 10 cause of death is rarely talked about and little awareness is pushed.  We hear all the publicity for Cancer Walks, Lukemia Walks, Bike-A-Thons, Labor Day Telethons,5-K runs, but until a friend of Jared's formed Team Jared's Keepers, I didn't know of the Walk From Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk existed!  WHY?  Why isn't every news channel in America telling us about these when they happen.  IT IS NUMBER 10!

Information from the CDC based on 2011 Data:

• Heart disease: 597,689
• Cancer: 574,743
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 138,080
• Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 129,476
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 120,859
• Alzheimer's disease: 83,494
• Diabetes: 69,071
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 50,476
• Influenza and Pneumonia: 50,097
• Intentional self-harm (suicide): 38,364

Together I hope you will join me to get rid of the stigma that comes with depression and mental illness and allow, as well as encourage/support those around us to seek treatment.