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An Appeal To Hope From Judge Wayne Mack

By: Billy Adams
| Published 07/11/2021

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THE WOODLANDS, TX - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates have increased 33% between 1999 and 2019. It was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths in 2019, which is about one death every 11 minutes. CDC also stated that suicide affects all ages. It is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34, the fourth leading cause among people ages 34-54, and the fifth leading cause of death among people ages 45-54. Certain groups of people experience a higher rate of suicide than others, including veterans and victims of abuse.

“Hope is the most powerful thing in the world”


The common factor though, among all groups is the loss of hope.

At some point, people attempting suicide are convinced that they have no one to turn to or that nothing will help. They experience a sense of abandonment or loneliness. Montgomery County Precinct 1, Justice of the Peace, Wayne Mack deals with many inquests every month. He mentioned that in our county, for all 5 justice courts, there are about 1,800 - 2,000 death inquests per year with about 120 of those being suicides. He sees a variety of situations and deals with many grieving families. He wants to appeal to families, coworkers, church members and friends to make sure that they connect with their loved ones and always make sure that their friends and families are ok. Especially those dealing with depression and drug addiction.

Judge Mack said that death by suicide keeps growing in our county. If fact, the rate has doubled in the last few years. The increase is not just something we see locally, but the rate is increasing nationally. He appeals to our community to do, as the Bible says, “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Be the one that looks for those telltale signs in your family members and coworkers. Don’t ignore those signs. Be there for your family and friends. Never let anyone leave this world by their own hand and do so thinking that no one loves them. Never let people feel that they are abandoned. They’re not abandoned and they need to know that. Our hope is in our faith in Jesus Christ. Be the person that comforts those in need.

Mark 12:30-31
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”


Judge Mack says that “Hope is the most powerful thing in the world”

Listen to Judge Wayne Mack’s Appeal to Hope:



According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the following are risk factors and warning signs:

Risk factors

Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.

Health

* Mental health conditions
* Depression
* Substance use problems
* Bipolar disorder
* Schizophrenia
* Personality traits of aggression, mood changes and poor relationships
* Conduct disorder
* Anxiety disorders
* Serious physical health conditions including pain
* Traumatic brain injury

Environmental

* Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
* Prolonged stress, such as harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment
* Stressful life events, like rejection, divorce, financial crisis, other life transitions or loss
* Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide

Historical

* Previous suicide attempts
* Family history of suicide
* Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma

Protective Factors

* Access to mental health care, and being proactive about mental health
* Feeling connected to family and community support
* Problem-solving and coping skills
* Limited access to lethal means
* Cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem

Warning signs

Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Talk

If a person talks about:
* Killing themselves
* Feeling hopeless
* Having no reason to live
* Being a burden to others
* Feeling trapped
* Unbearable pain

Behavior

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:
* Increased use of alcohol or drugs
* Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
* Withdrawing from activities
* Isolating from family and friends
* Sleeping too much or too little
* Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
* Giving away prized possessions
* Aggression
* Fatigue

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Loss of interest
* Irritability
* Humiliation/Shame
* Agitation/Anger
• Relief/Sudden Improvement


If you need help with addressing suicide, there are places you can call for help:

Tri-County Behavioral Health Crisis hotline - 1-800-659-6994

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255

LifeSpring Behavioral Health - https://www.lifespringbehavioral.com


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For more information about suicide prevention, go to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - https://afsp.org

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