According to this article published by CNN on Monday, April 8, “The number of children and teens in the United States who visited emergency rooms for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts doubled between 2007 and 2015... the researchers tracked the number of children between 5 and 18 who received a diagnosis of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts each year. Diagnoses of either condition increased from 580,000 in 2007 to 1.12 million in 2015... Depression and a prior suicide attempt are the two biggest risk factors for suicide, and with rates of suicide on the rise, it makes sense for risk factors to increase as well...”

UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS IS KILLING OUR CHILDREN.

This is SO important and SO heartbreaking, y’all. Of course, we need more of Jesus and more of the gospel. Sickness and illness and broken bodies are all a result of the fall. But just like we treat colds and diabetes and cancer with modern medicine and various therapies, illness in the brain can ALSO be treated and managed!!

If you are trying to #findyourjoy and #fightforjoy in the midst of depression or anxiety or suicidal thoughts, and if you are looking for more support in your fight — consider adding a coach to your circle. Honestly, #youmightneedalifecoach. Or if you know a teen girl or college girl could use some extra support from someone who specializes is mental health and wellness coaching, #getheralifecoach!

No one has to fight alone. There is a God who cares about what’s going on in your brain. There are resources available for those who are fighting for their mental health. And there are people with a passion, skill set, and expertise in this field who are dedicating this lives and careers to this cause.

I am one of those people. Please, if there’s a place for me, let me help. Let’s get this number decreased.