Suicide is Not Chosen

The death rates for eight of the 10 leading causes of death have decreased significantly, but not for the tenth leading cause — suicide. The national suicide rate has increased to 12.6 suicide deaths per 100,000 and for ages 18 to 35 — the prime of one’s life — only unintentional injuries account for more deaths.

Someone in this country dies by suicide every 12.9 minutes. And one of those deaths was a beautiful 16-year-old girl I knew and loved...

I’m adding my voice to a growing chorus determined to make suicide prevention a national priority. I’m honored to serve on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Executive Committee and I applaud the work of the Alliance’s Research Task Force, co-led by National Institute of Mental Health Director Tom Insel and Jed Foundation Board Chair Phil Satow. Their Prioritized Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention: An Action Plan to Save Lives gives us a suicide prevention roadmap.

If we implement the roadmap with fidelity, we will reduce suicides by 20 percent in the next five years and by 40 percent in the next 10.

Read more at Linda's Corner Office Blog.