According to recently reported data for 2004 from the CDC, every 16 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide.
Experts estimate that a suicide attempt is made each minute every day.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teen and young adults in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among college-age young adults.
Ninety percent of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of death.
The best way to prevent suicide is through early detection, diagnosis and treatment of depression and other mood disorders.
Talking about suicide will help to foster dialogue and encourage people to get help.
Depression affects more than 20 million people each year in the U.S.
Depression is among the most treatable of all mood disorders. More than 80% of people with depression respond positively to treatment.
I am a psychotherapist who provides grief work and I personally experienced the grieving process when I lost my mother to suicide. I know that one of the hardest things about grieving the loss of a loved one by suicide is often the feeling of guilt and the sting of stigma associated with suicide. At times you may wonder whether what you are experiencing is ‘normal'. You might have lots of unanswered questions and wonder if you could have done something to prevent the tragedy. It is important to take things slowly and pay attention to your inner voice. Listen to your grief.
Even though, logically, you know your loved one has died, you need time to reconcile what has happened and to work out what is best for you. Unfortunately, at a time when you are likely to be most vulnerable, grieving requires you to become your best advocate by speaking up for what you need.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - http://www.afsp.org/ - hosts an annual Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk which raises funds for research and education on suicide prevention and depression. Most empowering, is that this 18 mile overnight walk helped me to take a bold step in bringing my mother's suicide out of the darkness and into the light. I received support from friends as I shared my story and began the walk after the opening ceremony event at sunset. I walked all night and shared a midnight meal with other survivors experiencing different stages of grief. I created a luminary in honor of my mother and lined the bag with the countless others. I felt for the first time that I was not alone. When the sun rose, I felt a renewing warmth and gratitude for the sense of closure the walk bestowed upon me. This experience changed my life for the better and I feel inspired to facilitate groups to foster healing in new ways.
By, Aysha Ali, LCPC
Urban Balance Therapist
Aysha Ali is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with eight years experience in helping to create positive change for children and adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families in community counseling agencies, schools and private practice . She specializes in depression, anxiety, women's issues, personal development, career & family life balance, and work induced stress reduction. Through her experiences as a doula, she is able to offer unique techniques regarding pre and post pregnancy related concerns. She focuses on issues related to relationships, GLBTQ identity, as well as cultural and racial identity. Her approach is client-centered and cognitive-behavioral based while utilizing tools of expressive therapy. Aysha earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Northwestern University as well as a certification in Art Therapy allowing her to utilize art as an effective exploration of emotions.
Experts estimate that a suicide attempt is made each minute every day.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teen and young adults in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among college-age young adults.
Ninety percent of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of death.
The best way to prevent suicide is through early detection, diagnosis and treatment of depression and other mood disorders.
Talking about suicide will help to foster dialogue and encourage people to get help.
Depression affects more than 20 million people each year in the U.S.
Depression is among the most treatable of all mood disorders. More than 80% of people with depression respond positively to treatment.
I am a psychotherapist who provides grief work and I personally experienced the grieving process when I lost my mother to suicide. I know that one of the hardest things about grieving the loss of a loved one by suicide is often the feeling of guilt and the sting of stigma associated with suicide. At times you may wonder whether what you are experiencing is ‘normal'. You might have lots of unanswered questions and wonder if you could have done something to prevent the tragedy. It is important to take things slowly and pay attention to your inner voice. Listen to your grief.
Even though, logically, you know your loved one has died, you need time to reconcile what has happened and to work out what is best for you. Unfortunately, at a time when you are likely to be most vulnerable, grieving requires you to become your best advocate by speaking up for what you need.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - http://www.afsp.org/ - hosts an annual Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk which raises funds for research and education on suicide prevention and depression. Most empowering, is that this 18 mile overnight walk helped me to take a bold step in bringing my mother's suicide out of the darkness and into the light. I received support from friends as I shared my story and began the walk after the opening ceremony event at sunset. I walked all night and shared a midnight meal with other survivors experiencing different stages of grief. I created a luminary in honor of my mother and lined the bag with the countless others. I felt for the first time that I was not alone. When the sun rose, I felt a renewing warmth and gratitude for the sense of closure the walk bestowed upon me. This experience changed my life for the better and I feel inspired to facilitate groups to foster healing in new ways.
By, Aysha Ali, LCPC
Urban Balance Therapist
Aysha Ali is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with eight years experience in helping to create positive change for children and adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families in community counseling agencies, schools and private practice . She specializes in depression, anxiety, women's issues, personal development, career & family life balance, and work induced stress reduction. Through her experiences as a doula, she is able to offer unique techniques regarding pre and post pregnancy related concerns. She focuses on issues related to relationships, GLBTQ identity, as well as cultural and racial identity. Her approach is client-centered and cognitive-behavioral based while utilizing tools of expressive therapy. Aysha earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Northwestern University as well as a certification in Art Therapy allowing her to utilize art as an effective exploration of emotions.