Suicide Prevention 

Sadly, Lithuania’s suicide rate is one of the highest in the world.  As reported by Lithuania’s State Mental Health Center www.vpsc.lt, in 2005 the suicide rate reached an alarming 39 per 100,000 residents.  In his article, Justin Webster, cites it to be the leading country in suicide ( www.insightnews.com).  In comparison, the rate among European Union nations ranged from 10 - 20 per 100,000.  Lithuania’s suicide rate in rural areas was twice as high and the rate among males is five times higher than females.  Approximately 1500 Lithuanians commit suicide every year.  According to mental health experts, each tragic death touches at least 5-7 others.  Given these facts, public health experts consider suicide an “epidemic” in Lithuania.  

Alarmed by these statistics, LML is appealing to donors to help us fund a suicide prevention program, specifically to address suicides among Lithuania's youth.  Without effective prevention programs, Lithuania can not be expected to overturn  the dismally high rate among teens and young adults (age 15-24).  In general, most suicides among young people are preceded by several attempts or clear warning signs that require immediate attention.   

To decrease suicides among Lithuania’s youth, LML will support the Youth Psychological Aid Centre (YPAC), www.jppc.lt, or Jaunimo Psichologinës Paramos Centras.  Established in 1993, YPAC is a non-government, non-profit organization that reaches out to youths across Lithuania.  Working with only 12 staff and 120 trained volunteers, YPAC’s innovative programs include:

·        Youth crisis hotline

·        Mobile Crisis Intervention Group

·        Internet counseling program with “Letters to a Friend”

·        Social and Psychological Counseling

·        Website and Information Program

·        Day Care Center for At-risk Children and Families

·        Suicide prevention concert “Choose Life” in 2006 attended by 10,000

 

LML’s upcoming annual sweepstakes will help fund this project.  It will offer: a grand prize consisting of 2 round trip flight tickets to Lithuania (seasonal restrictions apply), and cash prizes of $1000, $500 and two prizes of $250 cash.  Winning tickets will be drawn Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007 at 4 PM at Duke's Eatery in Summit, IL. 

To learn more about the suicide epidemic in Lithuania,  visit:

·        Youth Psychological Aid Centre: www.jppc.lt,

·        Lithuania State Mental Health Center: www.vpsc.lt

·        Lithuania’s Suicide Epidemic:  http://www.insightnewstv.com/d74   

·        Suicidal Tendencies and Attitude Towards Freedom to Choose Suicide among Lithuanian School children: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1201149

·        Youth and Teen Suicide Statistics:  http://web4health.info/en/answers/bipolar-suicide-statistics

·        World Health Organization: http://www.euro.who.int/document/e72373.pdf

 

Send your sweepstakes entries to Lithuanian Mercy Lift, PO Box 88, Palos Heights, IL 60463.