In 2015, suicide accounted for (33.9 percent) among people 15-24 years of age. In 2022 the rate of suicide rose by 7.5% to 3,249 deaths.

THE UNITED STATES SUICIDE INFORMATION: 

In 2014 it was recorded, that 42,773 suicided and in 2021 there were 48,183 deaths recorded by suicide.

In 2021, 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt and 1.7 million attempted suicide. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–14 and 20–34 in 2021.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines “suicidal ideation” as “thinking about, considering or planning suicide.”

The suicide rate in the United States has steadily increased over the past 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021 — this represents a 36% increase in the national suicide rate since 2000. According to preliminary data, the national suicide rate increased an additional 2% between 2021 and 2022.

Which ages have suicide as a top cause of death? Suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10–64 in 2021.

Suicide was the second-leading cause of death in 2021 for people ages 10–14 and 25–34 and the third and fifth leading cause of death for people ages 15–24 and 35–44, respectively. Between 2021 and 2020, suicide rates increased in every age cohort except for the 45–54 group.

https://usafacts.org/articles/how-is-the-suicide-rate-changing-in-the-us/ 

Drug abuse and suicide are symptoms of social illness and as a community I believe some responsibility has to be carried by all of us, as we make a concerted effort to alleviate the burdens these young people are carrying. 

Even drug addiction is a kind of death. It’s certainly not living. Having spoken to many drug users and addicts over the years, they will tell you it’s a living hell. You only have to look at their faces and their body language to know that they’re in the depths of despair. 

A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK OF INTERVENTION:

Youth Suicide & Drug Prevention Strategy needs to be bipartisan and sustained over time. In order to respond to the problem of suicide and drug abuse with young people, a comprehensive framework of intervention should be put in place.

Current efforts, which focused at early treatment for at-risk individuals could be described as incomplete in themselves. Prevention efforts must be based upon relationship. Only long-term relationships involving a 'time' commitment can reduce the likelihood of suicide and drug abuse.

We have to remember that the reason why a person would take their own life or subject themself to taking drugs, is a lack of hope, lack of direction, and a lack of acceptance. In most cases there are long term, ‘root causes,’ which are compounding the situation. 

Suicide and drug abuse is not a disease. They are complex problems for which there is no one single cause or cure. There are biological, social, spiritual, psychological and environmental contributing factors. Keeping in mind that the farm will be run on the Foundation of Christianity, with Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour.

Remembering that suicide and drug related problems affect not only the individual struggling with these problems but it also affects loved ones and the local communities as well. It is important to integrate all of the following steps when faced with suicide and drug related incidents.

EDUCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS & GOD GIVEN TALENTS AND ABILITY: 

Each one of us has been skilfully made by God and is given gifts, talents and abilities before we were even born. We would like to see people reach their full potential and fulfil their destiny.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION & TRAINING:

There is a knowledge explosion occurring right now that is greater than ever before. It is not how much we learn but what we do with what we learn that counts.

DESIRE – MOTIVATION:

Most people are motivated to improve their lives and yes, sometimes life has a way of letting one down but that is not a good reason to give up. 

ATTITUDES - SELF-IMAGE:

The fourth ingredient of potential is the real key to releasing the 'brakes' on what you can achieve.

TEAMWORK – COMMUNICATION:

This is the basic tool for dealing with the various types of interpersonal relationships and team activities will be used to develop the communication required.

GOAL SETTINGS AND A PLAN OF ACTION:

Goals are stepping stones to what we want to achieve, remembering that 'life is not just the journey but also a destination'.

SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE:

Habits form the foundation for an effective life.

OTHER PROGRAMS &

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Horse riding, canoeing, hiking, camping, swimming, tennis courts, outdoor worship area, basketball, archery, and ropes courses.

 

EDUCATIONAL AND TEACHING VIDEOS:
Inspirational people, suicide and drugs, first aid, banking and money, 

saving and giving, taxation and government, accounting and bookkeeping, business and work, marriage, family, children and domestic violence.

Looking after animal and veterinary training, natural health and fitness, physical health and hygiene, sexuality and the human body, sexually related disease and aids, and all other aspects of life if possible. 

BASIC TRAINING:

Woodwork, motor mechanics, home economics, animal nursery,  

plant nursery, market gardening, the arts, music, reading, writing and mathematics, computer & internet.

and other aspects-of-life basic skills.

RESPONSES TO CRISIS:

Counselling in all areas, a place for relaxation and renewal, physical health, hygiene and fitness.

To build self-esteem for personal achievement.

Basic vocational training, recovery: rehabilitation and re-entry.

Early intervention, intervention, prevention, treatment, education, training, support, postvention.

THE FRAMEWORK:

The framework recognises the need for different levels of intervention when dealing with suicide and drug abuse. The term "Postvention" has been coined to describe a range of counselling and support activities which will assist individuals, families and communities in resolving grief and loss issues directly arising from the death by suicide or drug overdose of a family member, partner or friend.

DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT:

To initiate, instigate, develop and manage programs, The “Training for Life “program for particularly the youth of our country who are suffering from mental and physical disabilities and associated depression brought on by the many social problems of our time. 

Our programs will certainly involve and incorporate the Youth Suicide & Drug Prevention Strategies; being implemented in today’s treatments and will target the 14 to 25-year age group with a framework of programs that will progressively increase the standard of living and quality of life for our young people. 

Our objective will be to develop our processes and techniques on a 70 acres farm/rural retreat, which will provide a natural environment of space and isolation, discipline and teamwork needed for the effective implementation of the “Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy” and the “Training for Life” Program.  

THIS FARM FACILITY:

Will have skill share programs and a job-connection arm to help find the right job for those that have been through the program. Along with a range of counselling and support activities that will assist individuals in resolving grief or loss and any other situations that may be a long or short-term problem. 

All education and training will focus on the enhancement of individual confidence and skills. We will also assist in finding accommodation either through reconciliation with family or integration into other families in their communities. We will have in place a long-term back-up support system which will help with adjustment, re-establishment and re-entry into the community. 

Along with the Farm Project we also need and develop a Town Facility to work with the different range of counselling and support activities which will assist individuals, families and communities to help in
early intervention and assistance, enabling prevention instead of a cure.

The spiritual side of the farm will be fully operational with the working of the Holy Spirit, and the nine Gifts of the Spirit, and the Five-fold Ministry.

We are often told that we need to get a vision because of what “Proverbs 29:18.” talks about. The thing about a vision is this, which we have been told for as long as I have been a Christian, 47 years, and it is that when you get a vision of what you want to do, make it big enough that if God is not in it then it will fail. I think it’s big enough. What do you think?

Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he." [End of Quote]

I am 70 now and this is 28 years since the Lord told me to build a Youth Suicide & Drug Prevention farm. I have tried many times over the years, in different ways with different people but only God knows if this is the time to build it. 

The conviction has not faded over the years but there was a time when I gave it away twice to a friend of mine with the same vision.
I did this because I did not think I would be able to get it done but I am fully persuaded with the calling, on my life.

Romans 11:29 "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." [End of Quote]

Yes, it will take a lot of money and a lot of people with all types of skills, talents and abilities over all aspects of what life would bring us. We don’t know when the Rapture is going to happen so we are to keep ourselves occupied until he comes.  

So, I am asking God to provide all the money that is needed and all the people that are needed and the right piece of land with a good water supply and a good supply of gold in the ground. I know nothing is impossible with God and all things are by faith and not by sight. I know that God would have me fulfil my full potential, so I will give it my all no matter what.

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible.” [End of Quote]

Lord If it is your will, I ask in Jesus’ name, amen.