Welcome to this bonus edition of the Daily article.

I'm Chris Elkins narrating this article written by Mark Legg of the Denison Forum.

This bonus episode is titled Having Suicidal Thoughts, Call or Text, 988.

In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, taking 46,000 lives.

In 2022, that number appears to have risen substantially.

There are nearly two times as many suicides as there are homicides, and an estimated 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide in 2020.

Millions in America struggle with feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. I've had friends who

have contemplated suicide and who have harmed themselves. And some experts believe that mass

shootings are a kind of violent suicide

attempt. With suicidality, anxiety, and depression rising, especially in teens who are cyber-bullied

and spending lonely hours online, a simplified initiative to get people help is a step in the right

direction.

What was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now 988 suicide and crisis

lifeline. That 988 is important. It is the simple three-digit number to call or text when you or someone you know is wrestling with

thoughts of suicide. A link to the site is in the episode notes for this podcast. Suicide, suicidal

thoughts, and suicidal attempts among young people and even children have risen in the years

leading up to 2022. Our country can unite around

fighting the epidemic of higher suicide rates. President Trump signed the bipartisan bill to create

the number and the change was enacted during Biden's presidency. Sadly, one in six calls made to the

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline previously went

unanswered by a mental health care professional. This failure called for more funding.

While a single call won't fix someone's life, speaking with a caring and respectful counselor

...