There are a ton of awareness holidays commemorated throughout the year, and September 10 marks National Suicide Prevention Day.
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The day was created to shed light on suicide prevention and to highlight resources available to those suffering from mental illnesses.
Want to learn more about the occasion? Here’s what you should know.
When was National Suicide Prevention Day created?
The holiday was first commemorated in 2003 by the International Association of Suicide. This year marks the 15th year, and 2017’s theme is "Take a minute, change a life."
What are the suicide statistics in the U.S.?
There has been a startling rise in the suicide rate in America. Recent studies from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that from 1999 to 2014, the overall U.S. suicide rate increased by 24 percent.
And according to the CDC, suicide rates among 15- to 19-year-old girls doubled between 2007 and 2015, reaching a 40-year high.
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What about in Georgia?
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Georgia and among people ages 25-34 and ages 15-17, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the state.
In 2017, 20 kids and teens have taken their own lives in Georgia — 14 since early April alone, AJC’s Rhonda Cook reported.
How can I participate in National Suicide Prevention Day in Atlanta?
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Georgia Chapter is hosting a virtual candlelight vigil on Facebook to honor those who have died from suicide. Organizers are encouraging participants to post photos of candles and words to remember their loved ones on Sept. 10 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST here.
The Chapter will also be gathering at the Woodruff Park for a special suicide prevention installation on Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m.
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