Various organizations in the U.S. have started to launch their own programs for September's National Suicide Prevention Month.
The programs are geared toward spreading awareness and helping those suffering from depression and anxiety, which are considered as the leading causes of suicide.
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is one of the major causes of death in the country. In 2013, over 40,000 suicides in the U.S. were reported according to KDH News.
Modern Readers reported that majority of those who kill themselves are aged 15 to 24 years old. The issue is so prevalent that an average of one individual commits suicide every 13 minutes.
In an effort to curb the number of death from suicide, various organizations have agreed to take part in celebration of National Suicide Prevention Month. One of these groups is the non-profit organization Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier or MHAST, Press Connects has learned.
On September 15 and 16, MHAST will hold lectures in its headquarters in Binghamton in New York to address the issue of suicide and offer solutions to improve people's mental health and emotional states.
Aside from MHAST, military organizations will also launch their own programs. Sharon Sutton, the program manager for the suicide prevention projects of Texas's Fort Hood said that the facility will continue its efforts in reducing the suicide rate in the military.
"We have to ensure that we have a force that is ready to meet its mission at any given time," she said according to KDH News. "One suicide can impact the readiness of the force and its surrounding community."
"Our hope is to make as many as possible aware of the risk factors and warning signs of suicide," she added.
The U.S. Navy also showed its support for the National Suicide Prevent Month through the slogan #OneSmallAct. Through its own programs, the Navy aims to educate its servicemen on how they can help each other especially those who are showing signs of emotional instability, anxiety and depressions.
"I think as a Navy, we've made a lot of progress but I think there's still progress to be made in embarrassing the taboo and the stigma that comes with suicide," Chaplain Jennifer Howe stated according to WJHG. "I think the Navy is doing a pretty good job with that."
Hopefully, through the various programs, the organizations will be able to teach the public the importance of reaching out to those who are at risk of committing suicide and reduce its death rate in the country.
