Suicide – To Be or Not To Be

Post By~ Anna Waldherr of A Lawyers Prayers

A Lawyer's Prayers

Suicide prevention sign at Golden Gate Bridge, Author Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

• 22.5 million American adults have been diagnosed with cancer; 1.7 million will be added to that number this year alone [1].
• Over 16 million Americans suffer from depression.  PTSD affects another 7.7 million [2].
• More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s Disease [3].
• 500,000 American adults and children have cerebral palsy [4].
• Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, annually [5].
• Over 20,000 Americans live with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).  Some 15 new cases are diagnosed daily [6].

Millions of Americans either suffer from, or serve as caregivers for loved ones with, a chronic illness.

There are those who argue that this is pointless and unnecessary suffering – physical and mental – which suicide could easily eliminate.  The suicide rate in the United States is, in fact, on the rise [7].  Celebrity chef, Anthony…

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