If you’ve ever considered attempting suicide or lived following a failed suicide attempt, you’ll want to hear our guest’s story in this episode. I talk with Rob Decker who shares very candidly about his failed suicide attempt and how he has found hope for a better life.
One, two, three, four, five. Five jagged lines on her wrist. Five lines for a countdown. One- a lash out from her father. Two- lies spread like wildfire about her at school. Three- betrayed trust. Four- the laughing stock in science class. Five- a breakup with her boyfriend. All within the same week. She cried every night, but no one saw…
Every year, 45,000 Americans die by suicide. And for every completed suicide, there are 25 more unsuccessful attempts. That’s over 1 million suicide attempts in the U.S. every year! Through my own physical illness and descent into depression’s valley, I came to realize that even Christians get depressed and consider suicide.
The call came in to my office on a Monday morning. Her mother, cancelling her appointment. She wouldn’t be coming in for her evaluation for diagnosis and treatment plan…she had attempted suicide over the weekend and was still in the hospital.
We hadn’t met yet, but I wish we had. There was so much I would have told her. My heart breaks for her and the 5400 teenagers who attempt suicide EVERY DAY in the United States. I’m so glad she wasn’t one in 25 who succeeded in her attempt to end her life. Most people who consider suicide don’t want to die—they just want the pain to end. I understand. I wish I could tell her that and so much more. We could talk for hours, days even, but here is just a snippet of what I would say to the patient I didn’t get to meet. [more]
In today’s Ask Dr. B. column, a concerned reader seeks help on how to help a suicidal friend. Dr. B offers her professional suggestions.
