News
Statistics Show Reduction in Lives Lost to Suicide in 2020, Continued Need for Research and Prevention
Most of us will agree that 2020 was a year unlike anything we had experienced, as the world shut down in the face of a pandemic threat that was confusing, invasive, and ever-evolving. As we became more isolated and anxious, it was heartening to see open conversations about mental health and widespread recommendations for supportive […]
Grant to Active Minds supports National Conference 2022
JKBF’s 2021 grant of $12,500 to Active Minds supported their annual National Conference in February 2022. Turn It Up was designed as a hybrid conference to capitalize on the benefits of gathering in person as well as the expanded reach afforded by a virtual setting. Due to increases in Covid cases across the country, at […]
Be an Angel
It’s been 12 years since James Kirk Bernard became an angel. In recognition of the anniversary of his passing we have partnered with a consistent JKBF supporter, artist Amy Weishaar of A.WhiteHare Designs. Amy has created a collection of angels, including the recent addition of our angel, James, custom painted for the Bernard family. Angel […]
Chronic Illness, A Factor in Suicide Risk
By Meghan Bellamy In recent years CDC Statistics have reflected that eight of the top ten causes of death in the US were chronic illnesses, with the tenth being suicide. In 2020, that changed with the insertion of Covid pandemic deaths ranking third, yet chronic disease and suicide remain prominent causes of death in […]
The Cost of a Life…and a Need for More Suicide Prevention Research
As so many of us know all too well, the costs of suicide are immeasurable, extending beyond the unfathomable loss of an individual to considerable lifelong impacts on family, friends, coworkers, communities, and society. As this recent report on the Economic Cost of Injury from the CDC highlights, losses associated with suicide are also economic, costly, […]
Internal Rhythms, Sleep, and Suicide
In this recent summary From the Scientist, the researchers highlight how chronotype, or internal rhythms, raise the risk of sleep disturbance and associated suicidal thoughts in individuals more inclined to be night owls. Studies show that the restoration and reduced stress response that comes from sleep occurs during rapid eye moment (REM) conditions, which tend to […]