Positive Illusions And Negative Illusions

As of 2014 it is estimated that on average 20 Veterans commit suicide a day. These numbers could be higher for not all veteran’s suicides are accurately documented. VA, (2016). Fact Sheet: Suicide Prevention. Over the past 15 years, civilian suicide increased by 23 percent while veteran suicide jumped 32 percent. The Huffington Post, (July, 2016). 20 Veterans Die by Suicide Every Day. Here’s What The VA is Doing About it. Not only have we seen an increase in in overall all

Suicide is the eleventh-leading cause of death in the Unites States and the third-leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 years.

Tragically, the decision to put ones own life to an end happened 31,142 times in 1994 alone, causing suicide to be the ninth leading cause of death in the United States (JAMA, 24, 974).

Over 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with at least one mental illness (NIMH 2015), and 43,000 Americans commit suicide every year (NIMH 2014), with most of those deaths deemed preventable (Mann et. al 2005).

Attention Getter: Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. surpassed by accidents and homicide. (According to Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention)

There has been about 4,400 deaths a year do to suicide. Suicide can be caused by many things. A person can be pushed to suicide, if they are bullied and/or deeply depressed.

If we selected two individuals from around the world they would likely be just as similar as two individuals living in the same country. The greatest level of genetic diversity is in Sub Saharan Africa. This is likely because humans originated from this region and have lived there the longest, leading to greater genetic variation than anywhere in the world.

Have you ever met a combat veteran? Have you ever felt their pain or experienced what they have? Well, 18 A DAY just can’t stand it. That’s the number of veterans that commit suicide every day. That is 126 suicides a week and 6552 veterans that are lost each year.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in America especially among teenagers. The following data was drawn from the National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, it shows the suicide rates for males and females aged 15-19 years from 1975-2015 in the United States:

Suicide is is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors include mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, alcoholism, or drug abuse. People choose suicide when they are hopeless or when they think there isn’t anyone that cares for them anymore. They can also choose this if they think there isn’t an end to their suffering or to their problem. Most of the time this happens because of depression and in some cases bullying, it can also happen because of alcohol or because of a major stressful event that has happened. Suicide can really happen anywhere and at any time.Suicide is a problem that exists because the numbers of suicide keep going up and won’t come down.

Suicide has been a leading cause of death in the United States of America since 2009. It is the tenth leading cause of death and has increased since 2008 by .9%. Additionally, suicide is in the top 15 of leading deaths in 2009. Heart disease and diabetes which are also top leading deaths have decreased from 2008-2009. The only cause of death to have increased from 2008-2009 in the US is suicide.

The Center for Disease Control is responsible for keeping track and providing facts and figures for suicide. They describe suicide as a serious problem and a leading cause of death in the United States. It is in fact the 10th leading cause of death across all age groups. In 2013, an estimated 41,149 people successfully committed suicide (Understanding). In contrast, 494,169 attempted to harm or kill themselves but failed (Understanding). Many more people are thought to have tried and not sought out help, leaving them an unknown factor in the equation. All in all, suicide and its attempt are responsible 6.1 billion dollars in medical and work loss costs in the United States annually (Understanding).

About every 12.95 minutes an American has token their own life. 22.2% of the national suicide rate is comprised of Veterans. Suicide costs over $44 billion dollars annually. Suicide is caused by all sorts of things such as; alcohol, depression, being laid off your job, bullying, morning, and depression. According to Sarah Wu, “In New York, there are 6 suicides for every 100,000 people living in the city. There are 11 deaths per 100,000 people nationally.” Las Vegas also sometimes referred to as the suicide capital of America has the highest suicide rate amongst cities. It has a population of 600,000 while New York City has a population of 8.4 million people. New York has a high population leading to more social bonds and less social isolation,

“Krishna was pushing at the door. Then he gave up and went to a smaller doorway next to it. ‘I’ll get in, or else!’ He stepped up, pushed, and fell right through. Krishna lay on the beautiful floor. ‘Well, come in. There is no door here, just empty air’” (Buck, 88). In this quote, the illusions of the palace are meant to further beautify the palace, and is a defense against enemies who would try to barge in. It is also a way to test a man’s pride, the answer being his reaction when he falls for the illusions. Another example of illusion is in the story of the Golden Mongoose, where, the family is sent to heaven when they see past the illusion, and give Yama the last of their food. In Nala and Damayanti’s story, Nala uses illusions to hide himself, from the world, from Nala, and from himself. Throughout the Mahabharata, there is a strong emphasis on the illusions that cloud our eyes from reality, and how one must look past them to find resolution. They are often a test made to test one’s values and beliefs. However, illusions are also a form of self-defense—used to hide from others, from people important to you, or from even yourself. This is seen just as often in the book, in the story of the Golden Mongoose and Nala and Damayanti; and is also reflected elsewhere in the story when Yudhishthira is tested before being able to go to heaven, and when the Pandavas disguise themselves in the thirteenth year.

The researchers analyzed numerous surveys to determine when the rise of depression cases began and what may have contributed to the rising number. According to the 2017 report from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, depression and suicide are significant public health concerns with more than 40,000 Americans dying by suicide each year.