Friday, July 23, 2010

Featured Facts on Friday

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for America's youth ages 15 to 24?  More youth and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.  

The vast majority of those who die by suicide have a mental illness--often undiagnosed or untreated.  Click here for more information about suicide including statistics, warning signs and possible interventions.

A local group called SPRITES holds regular support group meetings for suicide survivors (family members who have lost a loved one to suicide) at the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania office.  They also host small social gatherings at a variety of local restaurants and coffee shops.  Click here for information on SPRITES and their meeting schedule.

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