Be Someone's Light

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In September, many are preparing for fall events around the world. Albuquerque, New Mexico will be launching hundreds of hot air balloons, Germans will be are getting ready to celebrate Oktoberfest and the Hindu world will be launching paper lanterns in celebration of light's power over darkness. Yet, our news has been full of images and stories of the devastation occurring from Hurricane Florence in United States, and Typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines and China. Millions of people have been evacuated, homes and businesses have been destroyed, thousands have been without water and electricity, and many people have been injured, and some have died due to the inability of medical and rescue personnel to reach them. 

September is also National Suicide Awareness Month. Natural disasters leave many children stranded or orphaned, resulting into the entry of the foster care system. Children are lonely, grieving the loss of their parent(s), suffer from depression, and may not see any reason to live. The National Center for Prevention of Youth Suicide reports suicide is the second leading cause of young people between the ages of 10 and 24. It goes on to report foster youths are 3-5 times more likely to commit suicide than same age peers, and two and a half times more likely to think about possibly committing suicide, and four times more likely to make suicide attempt. 

World events, natural disasters, and the report from The National Center for Prevention of Youth Suicide may leave us feeling insignificant to offer assistance to hurting people, but here is something we all can do. The smallest gesture can make a huge difference. Speak a kind word, give someone a smile, lend a helping hand or make time to listen when someone asks. The encouragement you give someone today may save their life. Let your light shine in the darkness of loneliness, hopelessness, depression, and all their other evil friends. 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255