SUICIDE

Suicide is the deliberate taking of one's own life, and accounts for less than one percent of all the deaths in most Western countries. Most successful suicide attempts are by persons entering or recovering from depression, in which the thoughts of suicide were dominated by irrational feelings of guilt and unworthiness. The high suicide rate in severely depressed persons justifies the opinion that the condition is a potential, life-threatening, medical emergency warranting urgent treatment.

It is important to remember that there are always better options than suicide. Individuals who are depressed and are considering suicide need to realize that depression is a treatable condition. Although the suicidal individual feels overwhelming hopelessness and feels there
are no other answers, help IS available.

If you are considering suicide, it is crucial to get outside input or counseling. Depression keeps you from seeing options which are clearer to other around you; alternative ways of dealing with your problems CAN be found.

If you are considering suicide, get help now. You do have other options. For more information on suicide, please consult a suicide prevention hotline in your area (metropolitan Nashville area - 244.7444) or contact the BABBCENTER at 824.3772 or 800.458.1755.