To someone who has contemplated taking his or her own life, simply telling that person to cheer up isn’t a solution.

Depression has already taken them to the point where there are no solutions save for one — suicide.
There are real solutions and there is help for those who struggle with thoughts of suicide, and a new coalition in Lawrence County aims to raise awareness and advocate prevention of the self-harming act that takes the lives of more than 40,000 Americans each year.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, with firearms accounting for almost 50 percent of suicides.

Many times, suicides come as a shock to those who knew the victim, as was the case earlier this month when a Fairland High School student took her own life.

The Lawrence County Suicide Prevention Coalition has its first meeting this week and discussed how schools can recognize suicide warning signs and ways to step up those efforts.

While the group is in its infancy, hopefully, they can work quickly to establish a visible presence in Lawrence County so people in need will be able to get the help they need.