Facts

-It is estimated that 15% or roughly 17 million Americans suffer from depression.

-It affects rich and poor, young and old, black and white.

-2/3 are never treated.

-They do not recognize the illness, and see it as a weakness or personality flaw.

-Untreated depression is the most common cause of suicide.

-In Australia, New Zealand and Japan, there are more suicides than murders.

-Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.

-Depression is treatable.

-Cutting was very much a mystery until 1996 when Princess Diana admitted that she had struggled with it.

-Cutters use physical pain as an attempt to calm or numb the psychological pain.

-They cut the outside in an attempt release the pain on the inside.

-Cutting is an attempt to stop the hurting, an attempt to be clean.

-Cutters and addicts seek the familiar, even if it's pain.

-This is completely foreign to most of us.

-Cutters believe pain is their only option, using greater pain as relief from the pain inside.

-There is hope.

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