On Monday, September 20, 2010, Broncos’ wide receiver, Kenny McKinley, was found dead in his home.  The cause was quickly ruled suicide.  Today, Woody Paige, wrote a very personal article in the Denver Post urging survivors to not ask “why”; instead he stressed that we should ask “what can we do to prevent these deaths?”

The statistics on suicide are staggering here in Colorado.

• In 2007, more Coloradans died by suicide  – 805 – than by automobile accidents  or from illnesses like pneumonia, diabetes, and breast cancer.
• According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Centers for Disease Control, Colorado ranks 6th in the United States (behind Alaska, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming) for completed suicides.
• The U.S. Public Health Service estimates that there are 12, 800 suicide attempts each year in Colorado.
• Only 1/4 of those suicide attempts result in hospitalization.
• The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment states that the largest number of suicide deaths – roughly 1/3 per year – occur among men ages 35 to 54.
• By contrast, women in the same age group account for 10% of all suicide deaths each year.

If you or someone you know is thinking about end a life, there is help for you.  Call me. Call another licensed mental health professional before it’s too late.

Sometimes

you

have

to

shake

things

up

to

get

them

to

fall

into

place.”

Edward

Albee

As long as the yeti of the antifeminist world – the hairy-legged man-hater (everyone claims to have seen her but actual evidence is sparse) – roams the earth, we need to counteract her image. And as long as wives are assumed – by anyone – to be obedient little women with no lives of their own, those of us who give the lie to this straw bride need to make ourselves as conspicuous as possible.”

~ Lisa Miya-Jervis

Faith begins,

if it begins at all,

where knowledge leaves off.”

~Gregg Levoy, author

Whether you are faced with difficult choices, predictable transitions, or unforeseen life changes, I hope you will find some of the resources below to be helpful to you on your journey.

The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife
Marianne Williamson

Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends
Bruce Fisher

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Stephen Covey

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes
William Bridges

The Way of Transition: Embracing Life’s Most Difficult Moments
William Bridges

Things Fall Apart: Heartfelt Advice for Difficult Times
Pema Chodron