Shining Light on the Darkness

Each year in Georgia around 900 people commit suicide, according to Metro Atlanta Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The foundation held a candlelight vigil at Piedmont Park Tuesday night to bring awareness to the high rate of suicide. The event kicked off National Suicide Prevention Week.

Some statistics from the foundation:

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death on college campuses.
• Three times as many females attempt suicide as males
• Elderly adults are 15 times more likely to commit suicide than younger Americans.
• It’s estimated that 30 to 40 percent of LGBT youth have attempted suicide.
• Suicidal thoughts are up 7,000 percent among U.S. soldiers.
• In July 2011, the Army said it suffered a record number of suicides – 32 in one month.