Utah’s Suicide Rate Climbs…Again

26 February

UtahBefore we begin here let me preface this article with an appeal to those who are reading this and are contemplating suicide.  I’m begging and pleading with you to stop and just for a moment imagine your life without pain.

There is help for you through very compassionate people who are waiting for you to reach out to them so they can help. If you’re in need of someone to help you it’s only a phone call away so PLEASE do this for yourself!

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Deaf Hotline:

1-800-799-4TTY (4889) 

In regards to Utah’s alarming suicide stats to say that I’m surprised would be a lie, but to say that I’m not surprised is heartbreaking.  I publish a report on Utah’s Vital Stats every other year and each time I do this I’m sickened to the core. The report I’ll be writing at the end of this year will be no different I’m sure. 

I received a Google alert a few days ago about an article in the Deseret News and I couldn’t help but notice the article’s headline was just another nod acknowledging the problem. It said; “Utah lost 574 to suicide last year, but efforts are moving forward”.  The suicide issue in Utah gets worse every year and this year Utah’s Senate introduced a bill allowing teachers and other school faculty to intervene if they feel a student is at risk for committing suicide. 

They’re addressing every issue about suicide they can come up with except for the one glaring problem and if it’s not Mormonism I don’t know what else it could be.

Let me make myself perfectly clear.  I’m a staunch believer that suicide doesn’t happen in a vacuum.  There are a number of issues going on in the life of someone who decides to do such a thing, however, if the powers-that-be won’t accept this one facet of their problem nothing will ever change.

They can introduce new bills in their senate and they can change teaching methods all they want…

When I say they need to look at Mormonism I’m not necessarily referring exclusively to teachings of the Church. The issue is what’s ingrained into the heads of those in authority, be it teachers at school or church to the neighbors and even the work place.  The culture of how Mormons treat each other is a deep seeded problem and it’s going to take more than a few classes to introduce a new mindset or new laws allowing the schools to intervene.

When I express my thoughts on this issue it’s not done so flippantly.  They’ve adopted a few not-so-biblical behavioral characteristics that need to be eradicated from its roots. This began with the false prophet Joe Smith and carried on through Brigham Young and on down the line. Excluding yourself from society as the Mormons have historically done produces a society where leaders control what people do, how they think and how they interact with others.

When you have that scenario and introduce mankind who God has instilled with a brain to think for himself and then add education into the mix there’s going to be a problem.

In 2012 there were 562 suicides and in 2013 we saw 574. What will the numbers be for 2014? So far it’s not looking good as they’re projecting numbers to be higher than last year and it’s only February.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for kids 10-17 in Utah according to the latest CDC reports. In at least one county in Utah it’s the leading cause of death.  As of 2012 suicide came in as the 8th leading cause of death nationwide so there’s obviously a problem.

I’m living proof people can change, but it’s only through the power of God it can be done! I’m asking Christians to hit their knees and pray for God to intervene in each and every life in my beloved Utah.  If He can change me, I’m convinced He can change anyone!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

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