Flame Think, Inc.

It is standard procedure for most businesses to conduct annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention classes. The traditional hour of blah...blah...blah most likely consisting of slides from years ago, and dusty manuscripts with stats from the 1970's.

This is sad news, because now is the time updated quality training on this subject should happen. You may ask: Why? Short answer, because we are entering the traditional period when the greatest number of suicides occur in our nation. (Man on Stairs Image as found at StepsofDespair.jpg)

For many years, it was believed the holiday seasons (mid November through mid January) were the time most suicides occur. National research (conducted over the last twenty-five years) have proved this to be erroneous.

While suicides appear to surge during the holidays, this presumed increase is due in part to our local and national medias temporarily fixating on such tragedies. In reality, the holiday period is the time of fewer suicides because of the extension of an abundance of good will, care and compassion.

The highest number of U.S. suicides occur from mid January through mid March. There are numerous reasons suicides increase during this period. The reasons include but are not limited to:

1. The end of the holidays leading to the cessation of good will and neighborly affection.
2. The coldest winter period occurs (dark, gray and gloomy conditions) which can enhance despair among many.
3. Complications and concerns pertaining to finances are heightened after the holidays and through out the tax preparation periods.

We have the tendency to think: "But the holidays are over, and we have to get back to our regular routines." This is true, but there is a draw back. We too often forget about those around us. Our "good will" community shrinks to the size of our immediate interest, whereby we forget nearly every one else. We cease to see and hear troubled souls among us, so we fail to reach out to them. As a result they withdraw and sink into despair pondering their lack of significance, and may turn toward "at risk" behavior.

Many believe they are helpless to do any thing to stop or reduce "at risk" suicidial ideation. This is far from accurate. The best way to start reducing the number of "at risk" events, is to simply make contact with friends, neighbors, and church members you have not seen or heard from recently (in the past month), and to encourage others to do likewise.

In regards to our employees, we must become pro active in finding and communicating with (speaking and especially listening to) those who seem detached and withdrawn.

In our fast paced society, we must force ourselves to slow down and care enough to care for the well being of others. An unexpected phone call, a coordinated family visitation, and heart felt words of encouragement can have a "defusing" affect on a person struggling with feelings of hopelessness, uselessness and worthlessness. (Child Knocking on Door Image as found at carrymehome.blogspot.com) 

If we intend to have a community with reduced numbers of suicides, we must do more than blow the dust from our old Suicide Awareness and Prevention program manuscripts. We must do more than put up the same slides and charts we have seen for the past decade. We must come to the point where we realize we are our brothers (and sisters) keepers. We must remember every person is a part of the family of mankind. Every person has value. Every life is precious.

In regards to our Suicide Awareness and Prevention programs, it is time to ask ourselves: Are we ready to care enough to care?