Please Help If You Can!

Dear Friends, 

Most of you know that suicide prevention is something that I believe very strongly in. In the past five years, eleven of my daughter Jorgey's friends have passed away. Although some were from natural causes or accidents, six of the eleven committed suicide. They were all under 20 years of age. With the right help and support these sad deaths may have been prevented. 

On September 7, Jorgey and I will be walking in the Hampton Roads, VA Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We are asking for your help in raising money for this very worthy cause. If you feel led to donate, please visit our fundraising page. We are very grateful for any amount you can give, even if it's only pennies. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 38,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor more urgent. 

I hope you will consider supporting our participation in this event. Any contribution will help the work of AFSP, and all donations are 100% tax deductible. 

Our Fundraising Page can be found here: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=441950 

Also, for all of our stamping friends, Smeared Ink will be donating this very special "Just One" Grumpie digital image to anyone who donates $5 or more. 

You will notice on our donation page that there is a place to put your name. If you would like the special digi please make sure you insert your name on the donation page. Then email us at smearedinkstamps@gmail.com to get your "Just One" digi.

Please share this information with whomever you choose. Thank you so much!

With Love, 

Terra & Jorgey 

Important Facts to remember about depression and suicide: 

The latest statistics reported an all time high with 38,909 suicides making suicide the 10th leading cause of death in America. 

There are almost twice as many suicides as homicides. 

Every 13.7 minutes, a person takes their own life. 

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in teenagers and young adults, and the fourth leading cause for adults ages 18-65. In 

Virginia one out of every four individuals eighteen years or older who dies by suicide is a veteran. 

The suicide rate among U.S. military members rose sharply in 2012, with an average of one suicide per day. 

Survivors of suicide are five times more at risk for suicide themselves. 

Approximately 18.8 million people suffer from depression. 

There are over 900,000 suicide attempts each year, with an estimate that an attempt is made every minute. 

Over ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death; thirty-three percent of suicides have a substance abuse component. 

The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression. Depression is a disease, a disease that is treatable. Therefore, suicide can be prevented. 

We can save lives! 

If you or someone you love is in crisis you can always call: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK