According to a study published last week in the American Journal of Public Health, more Americans are dying from suicide than car accidents. After suicide, leading causes of death by injury are car crashes, poisoning, falls, and murder.

Although “accidental suicides” such as poisoning deaths and accidental overdose might be included in the statistics, the study author, Ian Rockett, at West Virginia University, says that all in all, suicides are actually under reported.

Some studies suggest that nearly 40,000 Americans take their lives each year, and many more are at risk of suicide.

Please, if you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or feels that life just isn’t worth living anymore, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Someone just emailed this to me:

Justin Bieber's mother Pattie Mallette attempted suicide just months before she fell pregnant with the future pop superstar after struggling to cope with sexual abuse issues, which drove her to drugs and alcohol. 

Mallette reveals she first experienced the horror of sexual abuse when she was just four years old and she later drowned her sorrows by indulging in underage drinking and illegal drug-taking.

During an interview on the Today Show, which aired in part on Tuesday, she said, "So many young people that are abused sexually, it just becomes something that they're familiar with and something that they're almost attracted to because their purity is taken at such a young age.

"I was full of shame. I learned it's normal and natural for anyone  who's been through sexual abuse to feel that
shame and that blame and feel like  there's something wrong with you. I definitely carry that."

She sank  into a deep depression and attempted to end her life by throwing herself in  front of a moving truck when she was just 17. She survived, but Mallette soon  fell back in with the wrong crowd and six months later, she found out she was  expecting her first child.

She explained, "It was a combination built up over the years of the abuse and the pain, and at the time (of her suicide  attempt) I was messed up with all of the drugs and the alcohol. I was in a  depression."

Despite facing a future as a single mom, Mallette refused  to listen to her elders who encouraged her to have an abortion: "I just knew I  couldn't... I had to keep him." 

Mallette has detailed her life story in  her new memoir, Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom.

Just a reminder...

Since putting together www.youcanendure.com and my cell (240-418-1887) out to the public, I've been in contact with hundreds of people who are either struggling with suicide or people who wanted to share their experience with it.  With each call, text, email, or message I hear small strains of hope.  It also shows just how many people are battling and we don't even know it.  Odds are you know someone who is in trouble.

At www.youcanendure.com we have a blog.  That's where YOU come in.  I want the blogs to be from you.  I want you to share your story of hope.  If you're a suicide survivor or someone who's has a personal story to share.  Even if you haven't had direct contact with someone touched by suicide, it can be a picture that inspired you or a quote that gets you through the day.  Bottomline, a blog where you can go to get a little boost.  You'd be surprised at how beneficial sharing your experience can be to others but especially to yourself.  By getting it out there you'll be letting others know that they are not alone.
  
Please send your submissions to youcanendure@gmail.com.  I can credit you however you like, anonymous or not. Everything is confidential.  

Thank you!

Steve Gustafson

This story is a good example of the questions that family and friends are left to answer after a life is taken.  The family of late hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty has asked for a second autopsy after a medical examiner ruled his death in New York last week a suicide.  Forensic pathologist Michael Baden said Wednesday that he performed the second autopsy at the family’s request. He says he’s awaiting test results.

Baden is paid to give independent opinions on deaths. He has testified in several high-profile cases including the O.J. Simpson trial.  Lighty was found dead in his Bronx apartment with a gunshot wound to the head. The medical examiner ruled it a suicide. But his brother Dave Lighty has indicated that he isn’t sure his brother took his own life.

If you have an event to promote, please contact us here and we'll be happy to list it!

Where: National Mall (Sylvan Theater) Washington, District of Columbia     
Starts: 09/29/2012 @ 6:00 pm   
Ends: 8:00 pm   
Check-in Time: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Registration Cutoff: 09/28/2012 12:00 pm
Donation
Cutoff: 01/01/2013 12:00 am    
Contact: Jessica Kaplan  
Phone: 703-328-3840   
E-mail Address:dcoutofthedarknesswalk@gmail.com

Walk will begin and end at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument.  The walk route will circle the Tidal Basin, which includes passing by the Jefferson, FDR and MLK memorials at sundown. 
*Online registration closes at noon the Friday before the walk.   However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk! Please know that walk donations are accepted until December 31st 2012.

The Out of the Darkness Community Walks are 3-5 mile walks taking place in over 250 communities across the country this year, with the proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). By walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, you will be walking with thousands of other walkers nationwide to raise money for AFSP's vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, and provide support for survivors of suicide loss. In
deciding to walk you are taking us a step closer to making suicide prevention a national priority.

To register for this event click the Register Now! button
to get started! Once you have registered you will have your own personal
fundraising page to help you with your fundraising efforts as well as watch your
progress!


Good luck!