AUGUSTA, Georgia – Today’s episode will focus on a topic that affects families of all backgrounds. Sadly, a recent survey finds that suicide is the leading cause of mortality among young adults in Georgia.
It breaks down the figures from previous year, revealing that more than 60% of suicide victims were between the ages of 20 and 24.
Data from the Georgia Student Health Survey 2023-2024 displays the following data for students, beginning with middle schoolers.
17% contemplated self-harm.
11 percent self-harmed.
Ten percent pondered suicide.
Six percent tried suicide.
In high school, 14% of students considered self-harm.
8% have self-harmed.
9% contemplated suicide.
5 percent tried suicide.
According to the Georgia Department of Health, construction workers have the highest suicide and drug overdose rates.
While we’re talking about suicide prevention, we’d want to let you know that one of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s community walks will be held in Aiken this fall.
The treks are named “Out of the Darkness.”
Juliana Boatwright Taylor is ASPF’s co-chair volunteer, and she is joined by Lily Meliezer, a high school volunteer for the Out of the Darkness Walk in Aiken.
The community walks’ objective is to promote awareness about suicide and the resources available to support people in distress; to raise funds for suicide prevention programs; and to foster a sense of community and healing among survivors.
The purpose is to raise mental health awareness among teenagers, so that future generations do not regard suicide as a shameful, taboo subject that cannot be spoken. In other words, moving the conversation “out of the darkness.”
People can help by going online and forming a team, as well as sharing your page on all of their social media accounts on a regular basis. That’s crucial because you never know who will see your article at the exact moment they need to realize there is help available.
Aiken’s Out of the Darkness Walk is scheduled for Sunday, November 9th at Odell Weeks Park.
This is a family-friendly event. Registration is at noon, and the walk begins at 2 p.m. You can now create a team online.
If you know someone in mental difficulty, please phone or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
AFSP is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and lowering the suicide rate in the United States. Local chapters organize “Out of the Darkness” community walks to increase awareness while also raising funds for research and educational programs.
