Each day in the U.S. more than 80 people will take their own life, leaving behind loved ones, survivors to struggle with the loss, grief and all of those questions that begin, "Why...?"
Too often survivors believe the suicide of their loved one is somehow shameful, or that they or their family are to blame. But research shows that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying, although, not always diagnosed, psychiatric illness at the time of their death - most often depression.
Particularly difficult for survivors will be the upcoming holiday season. To help, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's National Survivors of Suicide Day will be held on November 22 in more than 160 cities across the country, including here in Bend. The program is also available online. For more information, visit www.afsp.org
Sincerely,
Nancy Baker, Bend
