Suicide is not the answer

I have been saddened over the past few weeks over the all of news of young teenagers and adults who have committed suicide. The most recent heartbreaking high profile story is the death of Tyler clement. It is speculated that the main reasons for his act of suicide was humiliation on the basis of invasion of privacy.

The statistics regarding suicide are as followed:

• In 2007 suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S.
• There are an estimated 11 attempted suicides that occur per every suicide death.
• In 2007, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24

I think it is horrible that anyone would ever consider suicide or even attempt suicide because there is always help and hope. The facts are:

• There is always a higher authority above the bully or abuser. Although it may be embarrassing or scary for you to report the incident and seek support there are people who will and can support your efforts to be protected and be safe.
• When you expose the tactics of your bully or abuser you help others from also being bullied or abuse.
• If you are being abused physically when you reach out for help you can be separated from the abuser. If you are being bullied and you expose the bully to a counselor, Resident Assistant, Dean, Professor, teacher, police officer you take away the power of the bully. If you are being harassed by gossip be confident to know that gossip dies as quickly as it begins.
• I know that some situations may be very devastating but rest assure that there are those within your city or state that have gone through the same or similar situation. Therefore there are FREE counseling, advice and resources available to you locally to assist you immediately. Call 1-800-273-8255, and a counselor will refer you to a local organization that can immediately help you in the situation that you are in. If you or someone you know has thoughts or mentioned they want to hurt themselves call 911 immediately.
• The abuser or bully is only in your life for a season. The season may be grade school, high school, a semester, a class, or an organization. Once that chapter of your life is over they are out of your life and out of your sight. If you are experiencing abuse in your family, that person can be removed from your life. Nevertheless you do not have to endure bullying and abuse the situation can end immediately when you reach out for help. Someone will and can put a stop to it.
• Many times thoughts and attempts of suicide are a result of mental illness or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is not taking their prescribed medication or has been abusing drugs (prescription or street-drugs) or alcohol. Please call 911.
• I am sure that there are people in your life that love you. Your life is valuable to them. You also need to know that there are people who will enter your life that will love and adore you. Your life should not revolve around a bully or gossip.

Suicide is not a solution, it is not the answer to resolve any issue. Please call the suicide prevention hotline for more information and resources, 1-800-273-8255.

New York City’s stance against Domestic and Dating Violence: Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s initiative to eradicate dating abuse in the City

October is domestic violence awareness month. As a resident of New York City I am aware that domestic violence awareness efforts are not only heightened in the month of October, they are attained throughout the year.

Here are some facts:

• In more than 60% of domestic-violence related homicides, women knew their attackers.
• Women ages 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.
• Nearly three women are murdered every day because of domestic violence.
• Nearly 50% of homeless women and children are homeless because of domestic violence.
• The 2007 NYC Department of Teen Health Risk Survey found that one in ten teens had been sexually or physically assaulted within the previous year.

Since becoming mayor of New York City in 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has established many programs and initiatives to prevent incidents of domestic and dating violence through education, counseling, and collaborating with various organizations and individuals to develop better methods to assist victims of abuse. I believe these efforts have led to the 20 percent decrease of family related homicides in New York.

Since 2002, the following initiatives have been implemented:
2005
A new Family Justice Center opens in Brooklyn. Each Family Justice Center offer the same services, all of which are free. These services consist of counseling, legal advice, assistance reporting the incidence of abuse via Domestic Violence Police Officers, Spiritual Support, assistance reporting and combating elder/disabled abuse, and other services. At each Family Justice Center there are confidentiality guidelines, language interpretation available, and security.
New York City Healthy Dating Relationship Training Academy was established. This academy offers free workshops provide educational and skills-building training for adolescents, their parents and other organizations upon request.
2006
A public education campaign, developed by McCann Erickson, consisting of informative posters distributed throughout the city in the subways, buses, and telephone kiosks.
Until The Violence Stops: NYC, a two week festival of various performances and community events designed to draw awareness of dating violence.
2008
A new Family Justice Center opens in Queens.
2010:
Public education Domestic Violence Campaign held in which posters are placed in supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, restaurants and financial centers along with a public service announcement radio campaign.
A new Family Justice center opens in the Bronx.

I am certain I have not covered all of the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and other New York City officials during the past eight years; however these initiative and the statistics show that education and resources are the key. I hope that such efforts will continue in New York City and the rate of family related homicides and incidents of dating violence continue to decrease. For more information on services available to victims of abuse within the City of New York, go to http://www.nyc.gov/.