09/19/2021
Nevada has the 4th highest su***de rate in the United States and is the 7th leading cause of death in Nevada. Su***de is the 3rd leading cause of death for kids ages 15-24 and 2nd leading cause of death for those ages 25-35. For every teen that dies by su***de, they say 100-200 have attempted. More people die by su***de than homicide in the United States.
It is said that a su***de leaves six to eight bereaved family and friends. I wonder where they got THOSE numbers? Six to eight? Su***de rocks the world of everyone left behind. To be honest, it rocks the world of the one that thought su***de was the answer. But let’s discuss the number. 6-8 family and friends. No, su***de rocks entire communities. It affects the entire world. We are connected. We are more connected now because of social media. It affects people you have never met. It affects generations. And some su***des, in fact I’d bet MOST su***des are not because the person was not loved, cherished and wanted. We talk a lot about reaching out, checking up on, being available for others. That’s important. That’s why we are here. We are our brother’s keeper. But let’s talk about the ills of society for a moment. Do you know our thoughts have power? Every word you say to yourself becomes your truth. It changes your DNA. Do you know the music we listen to effects every cell in your body? So those soulful songs talking about su***de... talking about violence... talking about negative things, becomes truth. Do you know that your brain can’t distinguish reality or fantasy. That’s why your heart starts pumping during a scary movie. So movies, games that glorify killing.... that becomes truth also.
The more you tell yourself that su***de is an out, the more it becomes YOUR truth. But it isn’t THE truth. Do you understand that every single person who lives on this earth matters? And that your life, and your death will be like a ripple in a pond. It ripples out everywhere. It affects everyone. Lives are changed because someone they never met chose su***de. Yes, we need to love. We need to lift. We need to reach out. But we need to CHANGE! Think about the music. Think about the movies. Think about the video games. Think about our lack of respect for human life. Think about your words. Think about your thoughts. What can you do to change those things??? 6-8 grieving family and friends??? Wrong!!! Su***de will never just hurt 6-8. Choose to be the change. Choose to see the value in self and others. Choose love. Love is the only thing that can stop hate. That includes SELF LOVE. YOU MATTER!!!!
