Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Rebekah Schipper.
Voice 1
Forty [40] percent of Japan’s population uses the Internet. In fact, Japan is one of the world’s most wired Internet–using nations. Many people find friends on the Internet. But some of these friendships are proving to be dangerous. Some Japanese people are using the Internet to find people to die with.
Voice 2
In March 2006, Japanese police found the bodies of eight young people. They were in two separate cars. Tape blocked the windows. There were stoves in the cars. These stoves let out poisonous smoke. The people were dead.
Voice 1
The police investigated the situation. They believe that the young people met through the Internet. They believe that this group decided to kill themselves together.
Voice 2
There have been several similar incidents in Japan in recent years. Police call these incidents “group suicides.” Suicide is when a person kills him or herself. A group suicide involves people meeting for the purpose of dying together.
Voice 1
More and more groups of people are meeting on the Internet. Some of these people have lost hope. They want to die. They find other people on the Internet to talk with about their problems. Some even talk about how to die. People make promises together. They promise to kill themselves together. This is called a “suicide pact,” or promise.
Voice 2
Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, over thirty thousand [30,000] people have killed themselves each year since 1998. Japanese officials have created good programs to end the problem of suicide in their country. But suicides continue to happen both in Japan and around the world. It is a problem in every nation. And, it is a problem that you and I can help end, just by being a good friend.
Voice 1
Today’s Spotlight is on suicide. Why do people decide to end their lives? Can we prevent suicide from happening?
Voice 2
The WHO reports that in the last forty–five [45] years suicide rates have increased by sixty [60] percent worldwide. Suicide is one of the three [3] leading causes of death among people between fifteen [15] and forty–five [45] years old.
Voice 1
People who decide to kill themselves usually suffer from depression or drug use. In fact, ninety [90] percent of suicide victims suffer from one of these two problems. But not every person who carries out a suicide is depressed or is using harmful drugs. Suicide may result from other complex problems. For example a family crisis or individual crisis can make a person to want to kill himself. The death or separation of a family member or friend, job loss, and losing family honour could cause someone to think about suicide.
Voice 2
Suicide is not usually a quick decision. In the days or hours before people kill themselves, there are usually signs. The strongest signs are verbal. They are the words that people say. For example, people may say, “I cannot go on,” or “I have no reason to live,” or “I am thinking of ending everything.” People should listen to a person who says these things.
Voice 1
But not all warning signs are verbal. If a person is depressed, she may stay away from family or friends. Or a person may act recklessly. That is, she may begin to use drugs. Or, he may begin to harm his body on purpose. People who want to kill themselves may change their behaviour. They may start to give their things away to other people. And they may change the way they look.
Voice 2
Crying a lot and fighting with other people are also warning signs. Lack of energy, strange sleep patterns and lack of hunger are warning signs too. People who feel helpless, rejected, or very sad may have feelings of suicide.
Voice 1
Feelings of suicide are very real. When people experience suicide feelings they should not ignore or try to forget them. If a person tells you that he wants to end his life, you should believe him and try to help him. If you feel like you want to end your life, tell someone. Seek help as soon as you can.
Voice 2
If you know someone who has feelings of suicide, you can help him or her. However, offering your opinion, sharing your experience, or trying to solve the problem may not always be helpful. You may not understand exactly how the person feels. We can better help our friends and family just by being quiet and listening.
Voice 1
Listening without offering your own opinion can be hard. But remember, this is not about you. It is about the other person. So, it is important to try to understand the other person’s feelings. And it is important not to compare that person’s life to your life.
Voice 2
There are three things that people with suicide feelings usually want. First, they want someone who has time to listen to them. Second, they want someone who they can trust. Third, they want someone to care. They want someone who will accept and believe what they are saying. They want someone to cry with. They want someone who will say, “I care about you.” Be someone who can listen, who can be trusted, and who cares about others.
Voice 1
After listening to your friend, ask him if he needs more help. Tell him that there are trained individuals who can help him better. Offer to help him find trained help.
Voice 2
And, if you have ever thought of suicide, you should seek help right away. Find a friend who will listen, who can be trusted, and who will care for you. Talking to someone can help ease feelings of depression and suicide.
Voice 1
Befrienders.org is an Internet website designed to help people with thoughts of suicide. This website translates into many different languages. It also helps people to find suicide helplines. Helplines connect people by telephone to trained individuals who are willing to listen. These helplines exist in many different countries. Within this system people living anywhere can receive help. You can find a link to befrienders.org on the Spotlight website. Look on the page for this script.
Voice 2
Suicide is a very permanent way to solve a problem. But remember that there are always other ways to solve problems. One good way is to depend on Jesus. Jesus is a friend who always listens and can always be trusted. It may be hard to believe but he cares for you deeply. In the Bible, Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.” You can take comfort in these words.
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