World Suicide Prevention Day 2013

This is a guest post by Krissy Sinclair who has run the Survivors of Suicide-Depression Project in SecondLife for five years.

The Survivors of Suicide Group in SecondLife has over 400 members and is free to join. The goal of the group is to help people in SecondLife find real life help near them. The group offers 24/7 peer to peer support inworld and also offers education on how to prevent suicide and deal with depression. The group does not offer therapy as that should be done in first life with a trained and licensed professional. 

Krissy Sinclair is a social worker in first life, so this is a issue close to her heart.

Survivors of Suicide-Depression Support Project in Second Life

Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.

Suicide Facts

• Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year. Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.
• Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.
• Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.
• Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65. For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)
• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed. The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old.
• There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.
• The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old.
• The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression. Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.
• By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world. (World Health Organization)
• In 2004, 32,439 people died by suicide. (CDC). Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 15th). (CDC)
• An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS)
• There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS). There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)
• According to the Violent Death Reporting System, in 2004 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).

The Good News

Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention. 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully. It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)

What we can do in Second Life

We can band together and offer education and support to everyone. We can try and touch as many lives positively as possible as a group.

The Survivors of Suicide-Depression Support Project in SecondLife is such a group. We offer:

• Daily positive living and healing articles
• 24/7 Peer support via the groups chat
• Join a community that understands what you are going through, as they are also
• Education about depression and depression related issues
• Referrals to real life resources
• Don't be alone

Who can join us

Anyone! We are open to anyone who needs support, has needed support, has lost a loved one to suicide, who has depression, who wants to help in the fight against depression and suicide.

Look us up inworld at: Survivors of Suicide-Depression Support Project in Second Life (SLurl)

Join the Survivors of Suicide Group inworld! 

If you have any questions feel free to contact: Krissy Sinclair

---

I would like to thank Krissy for sharing this important information. Although it mainly focuses on facts from the United States, the conditions do not differ much around the world except possibly concerning the means used to commit suicide.

For more International information please visit The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).