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I'm about to rant... The CDC released new data today. "The suicide rate among ages 10-24 in the US increased 57.4% from 2007-2018. When examining the change in rates between 3 year averages of '07-09 and '16-18, the nat'l percentage increase was 47.1%" Thread -/1
More from the CDC "From 2007-2009 to 2016-2018, suicide rates increased significantly in 42 states." /2
These aren't just numbers and figures - these are PEOPLE. Friends, family, PEOPLE. Let's be mindful of this has we discuss these figures. PLEASE. /3
So what happens now? Organizations will talk about how bad it is and then implore people to do the SAME STUFF that we've been doing. /4
I'll just say it - IT'S. NOT. WORKING. We HAVE to do something different. Suicide prevention HAS to be more than asking people who are hurting to find the strength to help themselves. /5
We need to make sure suicide prevention is inclusive of EVERYONE. Systemic racism and white supremacy has to be addressed. Social determinants of health have to be addressed. /6
Small children as low as 5 are dying by suicide more and more and Black children have the highest rates in that area. How is that being ignored by so many?? We can't afford to allow that to continue. /7
I appreciate the Action Alliance for thinking outside the box and engaging unique partners. It's going to take NEW MINDS at the table to get this done. /8
So PLEASE, let's do MORE. Let's think DIFFERENTLY. WE owe it to our kids to LISTEN to them instead of talking AT them. Why are THEY leading US? Because we are complicit in silencing them when they are begging to be heard /9
I am here to talk through any new and innovative ideas. I want to help more. I want to do more. Okay, getting off my soap box. Fin. /10
