True or False: Suicide Rates Increase During the Holidays
False! According to the National Center for Health Statistics, this is actually a time when suicide rates decline. However, media tends to promote the idea that suicide rates increase during the holidays. Unfortunately, this can really hurt those who are depressed by giving them an “out” with a copycat mentality.
There appears to be some speculation that suicide rates decline during the holiday season because those who might be considered suicidal are able to more readily receive emotional support from those filled with the “Christmas Spirit”. Let’s face it, Christmastime we tend to open up our hearts, care a little more, and do for
others what we might not normally do throughout the year. What does this tell you?
Personally, it makes me realize that compassion saves lives. During this time of year, we love to pull a glove off of the school’s Christmas tree and provide gifts for those in need. We tend to be more generous with our gifts and our time. We volunteer to bring meals to those in need. We hug more and ignore other’s needs less.
My Christmas Wish this year is that we can all hang on to that “Christmas Spirit” throughout the New Year and bring compassion to so many who are hurting so much that they contemplate taking their own lives. One act of compassion can actually save a life. To me, there is nothing more important.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Compassionate New Year!
Resources for Suicide Prevention and Suicide Hotline:
http://remembermegiftboutique.com/category_98/Suicide-Prevention-and-Grief-Resources.htm
Are You Stressed or Depressed this Holiday Season?
OK, take a deep breath and a moment to help yourself find a way to deal with the stress, and sometimes depression, that will hit you during the next few days. Our Christmastime mentality puts us in high gear to have the Norman Rockwell family get-togethers with all the trimmings!
We set ourselves up for disappointment with such expectations! Years ago, I read an article that touched on this subject. I can sum up what I learned from this article in one sentence: Instead of trying to realize all of your expectations, just look for that moment or two that you can carry in your heart for years to come. I actually have practiced this philosophy for many years. I have a memory full of these moments!
We tend to miss what we don’t have. Unfortunately, we all are missing someone on Christmas. Many of us yearn for the presence of that special person who has passed away. I know I do. Sometimes, it seems impossible to get past this feeling. But, you can try…
Our memories are the most priceless gift that we possess. Take a moment to open up this gift and allow the memories to bring you comfort. Talk about them… chances are, others will treasure them as much as you do.
A Sympathy Message for Christmas
Often a sympathy message or sympathy poem will mean more to a grieving family member than anything else. While we’d like to acknowledge their grief, we should to do it in a simple and respectful manner.
I found this beautiful poem that would be perfect for those who will be grieving during Christmas this year; perhaps this is their first Christmas without their loved one. I can imagine typing up this poem, framing it very simply and inexpensively, wrapping it with beautiful paper, and putting an ornament on it with a bow. What a simple and beautiful way to recognize and ease their pain, while also paying tribute to their lost loved one.
My First Christmas in Heaven – Words of Sympathy
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare
with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I’m spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do
For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
( by Author Unknown)
Simple and inexpensive memorial ornaments can be found by clicking here. With a little bit of creativity, and an inexpensive ornament, you can touch someone’s heart during this difficult time.
Remember Me’s Motto: Your Heart is a Gift. Put a Ribbon on It.
How Can We Help Those Grieving this Holiday Season?
Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We all know what that means! Christmas will, once again, sneak up on us. Unfortunately, so many of us wish we could just skip over this holiday season. Why?
It is incredibly sad that many are dreading this holiday season due to the passing of a loved one. As many of you, I have personally witnessed a number of families struggles through Christmas… holding back the tears while putting a smile on their face as to not affect everyone else’s Christmas holiday. Through these experiences, this appears to be the biggest obstacle:
People do not know how to react or what to say: Do we mention how we miss that person who has passed away? How will that make those grieving feel? Is it better just to ignore the topic in order to prevent sadness?
This is my personal opinion: They are already deeply saddened. There is nothing we can do or say that will make them feel any worse… well, maybe there is… avoiding the topic. They want to feel as though their loved one’s memory is still very much a part of the holiday season.
As I mentioned, this is my personal opinion due to my unfortunate experiences. I can very well be wrong. Please share your feeling or thoughts on this difficult topic. Perhaps we can make someone’s holiday season a bit less painful.
Wrapping Up Unfinished Bullying Business
Are you getting tired of these bullying posts? How far would you go to aggressively bring awareness to a cause that could have potentially contributed to your own brother’s suicide?
I am doing everything in my power to do whatever it takes to prevent another senseless death. Google “suicide caused by bullying”. Really, google it now. Yes, it is heart breaking! How does that make you feel? Does it make you want to sit down with your child tonight and talk about bullying? Hopefully, you answered “yes” and part of my mission is accomplished!
I believe, with all of my heart, that our efforts can save a child’s life. It is not in my power to reach children through this blog, Facebook or Twitter… nor is it my place. I can only hope I have provided you with the resouraces available to educate you on this subject. More importantly, I hope I have encouraged you to bring Bullying Prevention to your home!
Once again, for more information,
http://rememberme-awareness.com/category_94/Bullying-Prevention-Month.htm.
Final Week of Bullying Awareness Month
RememberMe-Gifts.com and RememberMe-Awareness.com will end Bullying Awareness Month with a final push to promote this cause. At the end of the week, we will sponsor a contest to bring as much awareness to this cause as possible. By providing an insentive for participation, it is our goal to to bring “true life stories” to the attention of as many people as possible.
I have many educators following this blog. I recently spoke to a principal with such a passion for Bullying Awareness that it motivated me even further! Why not provide “true life stories” to these educators who can, in turn, share them with their students to bring about compassion and understanding about the consequences of bullying.
I plan on sharing my heart-wrenching “true life story” just for this reason. I am hoping we can come together, as an on-line community, and fight this together. I can’t do this on my own… I will need your help!
Please subscribe, by clicking the “subscribe” button above, to follow this week’s blog.
“… A community needs a soul if it is to become a true home for human beings. You, the people, must give it this soul.” Pope John Paul II
Three Cheers for Big Bird!
PHOTO HAS BEEN REMOVED BY REQUEST OF
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Scheduled to air today, October 17, Sesame Street will address preschool bullying. right… PRESCHOOL! Yes, it’s a fact that bullying starts at this age! Luckily, Sesame Street is addressing this aggressively when Big Bird joins The Good Birds Club after being a victim of bullying. Since October is Bullying Awareness Month, the timing of this programming is perfect!
Also, on October 18th & 21st, Sesame Street will teach children to be proud of who they are and be more accepting of others. When children are proud of themselves and see the good in others, the bullying mentality can be subconsciously extinguished and replaced with hearts that cares for their peers.
As always, great job Sesame Street!
School-wide Commitment Reduces Bullying by 50%
According to National Youth Violence Prevention, a school-wide commitment to Bullying Prevention reduces the act of bullying by 50%. It is very encouraging to learn that all the efforts, by many organizations and concerned citizens, have been making an impact on our youth!
There are a variety of classroom activities that encourage participation in the bullying prevention movement. One activity, targeted towards elementary and middle school students, encourages teachers to involve students in creating classroom rules for bullying. Once the rules are established, each child signs a petition. PacerKidsAgainstBullying.org has a contract that can be printed out at http://www.pacer.org/bullying/pdf/ele-starting-the-discussion-files/KABPledge.pdf. It is a great idea to have these contracts signed by a parent or guardian, thus enabling communication at home.
Having a classroom or school-wide poster contest is another great idea. The winner of the contest receives a small prize or has their poster displayed in the school’s office. Hanging these posters throughout the school not only promotes awareness, but allows children to showcase their creativity.
There are many free online games and educational materials available. PacerKidsAgainstBullying.org has designed their website specifically for younger students. Students can play games, watch videos or participate in polls. PacerTeensAgainstBullying.org is also an interactive website for high school aged students.
RememberMe-Gifts.com and RememberMe-Awareness.com continues to accept donations for our Bullying Prevention campaign. It is our desire to supply elementary schools with Clever Catch (R) Bullying Balls. For more information, please click here.
Have you started your Christmas List yet?
Every year I set a goal to start my Christmas shopping early. If you are like me, you sit down with a piece of paper and jot down all the people you need to remember this holiday season. You have no idea as to what to get everyone, but you believe that you will “just know” when you see that perfect gift. You then sift through countless sales flyers and hit every sale that seems to be “the one” that will get your Christmas shopping started. Great plan…
Then, all of a sudden, we panic. Halloween and Thanksgiving have passed and it’s December! All those great intentions, thrown out the window. You’re stressed and you’ll buy the first thing you see just to check off another person on your list.
That is the reason RememberMe-Gifts.com has added Holiday Gift Ideas to our website. We have taken so much time to find the perfect, PERSONALIZED gift for everyone on your gift list. We have done the work for you. Also, when shopping early, you can find great discounts to save a bit on your budget. Right now, we are offering 20% off, for 3 days only, of our beautiful line of Personalized Photo Jewelry. This is the same jewelry as featured in “O” magazine!
Along with the celebration of the holiday season, unfortunately, many people are dealing with pain and sadness of missing that special someone during Christmas. Our passion is to provide the perfect gift to warm their hearts and give them the Gift of Remembrance. That is priceless!
Thus our motto:
As always, if you need assistance in finding that perfect Remembrance Gift, do not hesitate to contact us!
Once Again, Suicide Hits Close to Home
I have been focusing much of my attention on Bullying Prevention Month and raising awareness for this worthy cause. Unfortunately, these efforts have been temporarily interrupted due to my heavy heart after learning of two recent suicides that affected many locally here in Nebraska.
After receiving these calls, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I get extremely frustrated over the fact that these deaths are so senseless. Then I’m hit with realization that so many are grieving, a very different and difficult grief, due to these deaths.
Suicide Prevention and Grief Resources have been added to RememberMe-Gifts.com today. It is my desire to have resources readily available for those in need. I am very close to one of the families who are now suffering due to the suicide of a loved one. I can only hope that these resources can help them and many others who are dealing with this grief.
Even though my focus has been on preventing teen suicide, I am broadening my efforts, as both of these suicides deaths were adults. There are now spouses and children left behind to deal with this, what appears to be, insurmountable pain.
However, there is help and there is hope for these families. I will continue to research and provide valuable resources to help and encourage those in need. I will continue to pray for the families currently dealing with this tragedy.