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September 10, 2018 was #WorldSuicidePreventionDay and National Suicide Prevention Week runs through September 15, 2018. Some of the reasons we need to talk about suicide include:

  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, and we all know someone affected by it;
  • Each year, 45,000 Americans die by suicide; and
  • 54% of those who died by suicide in 2016 did not have a known mental health condition.

From American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (@afspnational), “Although there is no single cause of suicide, one of the risks for suicide is social isolation, and there’s scientific evidence for reducing suicide risk by making sure we connect with one another. We can all play a role through the power of connection by having real conversations about mental health with people in everyday moments – whether it’s with those closest to us, or the coffee barista, parking lot attendant, or the grocery store clerk.

It’s also about the connection we each have to the cause, whether you’re a teacher, a physician, a mother, a neighbor, a veteran, or a suicide loss survivor or attempt survivor. We don’t always know who is struggling, but we do know that one conversation could save a life.

We at Kantor & Kantor, LLP invite you to join American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in raising awareness in several key areas that can help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Each day this week, AFSP encourages you to share targeted messages (see below) about AFSP’s public policy.

You can share these messages with your friends and family members, in your school or workplace, or with your local news outlet. AFSP writes, “Share the text as written in a quick email, post the text and/or image on social media, or you can even post a video of yourself reading the announcement. Join the collective AFSP voice by tagging #Stories2Connect in your social media posts.”

This week, AFSP’s themes for each day are:
– 9/10 Monday – Crisis Lines
– 9/11 Tuesday – Research Funding
– 9/12 Wednesday – Veteran and Service Member Suicide Prevention
– 9/13 Thursday – Mental Health Parity

AFSP also encourages you to TAKE ACTION through the AFSP action center each day. These “actions” take around 30 seconds to participate in, and they will help save lives! However you see fit to share about suicide this week, please know that your voice helps raise awareness that: suicide is preventable!

And remember, if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. You can call 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), your therapist, a loved one, and you can even text the Crisis Text Line –just text the word “TALK” to 741741. Please never give up on you. #YouAreNecessary.

At Kantor & Kantor, LLP., we stand up to insurance companies when they deny benefits for treatment. If you are being denied benefits for treatment, please call us for a free consultation or fill out our online contact form. We understand, and we can help.