In the U.S., on average one person ends their life with suicide every 16.2 minutes. With such a high occurrence rate, suicide is the 11th ranking cause of death in the U.S. Over 90 percent of the people who conclude their lives with suicide suffered from a mental illness at the time of their death. In many cases, this mental illness takes the form of depression.

Everyone goes through periods of feeling sad, lonely, bored, nervous, and tired, but when these or other negative feelings dominate one’s life and emotions for a few weeks or more, they may be an indication of depression. Depression can seem so overwhelming to some individuals that it seems like the only way out, but these pressuring feelings can be relieved.

With this In Focus pamphlet the reader will learn that depression is a temporary and treatable condition. The pamphlet carefully explains how depression works, how it can lead to suicide and how to prevent someone from attempting suicide, as well as the affects suicide has on its survivors –the loved ones, friends, and family.

Once again, the reader is asked to be active when dealing with a possible suicidal person. A list of signs to uncover a suicidal person is provided, as well as a list of questions to ask the suicidal person. Readers are advised to never minimize the feelings of a depressed individual, but to try to talk the person out of their feelings. A conversation with a depressed individual regarding suicide maybe a very uncomfortable situation, and it is important to know what to do. This pamphlet is an important guide that can be of great help, and may save many lives.