Eye On The Media is dedicated to the education on, and prevention of, suicide. We strive to convey an accurate picture of how the media portrays violence, suicide in particular. You will find help here on how to successfully approach the media and make your opinion known. For all who have suffered a loss by suicide we keep a continuously updated list of movies that contain suicide scenes and other graphic violence which may cause you to feel pained rather than entertained. We know how difficult it can be to watch such scenes unfold when all you want is to take you mind of your own loss for a little while. We also keep a list of books for survivors of a loved one's suicide and on suicide prevention. Though the numbers of deaths by suicide outrank those by homicide and drunk driving, only recently more attention is being given to this growing problem. In the summer of 1999 the Surgeon General, David Satcher, declared suicide a national problem, and together with others has worked out a "Call To Action" plan. You can read more about it by visting SPAN. Here are a few facts regarding suicide. (First published by the American Association of Suicidology): Average of 1 person every 17.1 minutes kill themselves. Average of 1 elderly person very 1 1/2 hours kill themselves. Average of 1 young person every 2 hours kill themselves. 9th ranking cause of death in the U.S. - 14th for old; 3rd for young. 4.2 male completions for each female. 775,000 anual attempts in the U.S. 25 attempts for every completion for the nation. 100-200:1 for the young, and 4:1 for the elderly. 5 million living Americans (estimate) have attempted to kill themselves. 3 female attempts for every male attempt. Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people. (estimate) Based on over 745,000 suicides from 1971 through 1996, it is estimated that the number of survivors of suicide in the U.S. is 4.47 million (1 of every 59 Americans in 1996); the number grows by 186,000 each year, you do the math! If there is a suicide every 17 minutes, then there are 6 new survivors every 17 minutes as well. We need more education on the warning signs, and more sensitivity towards metal illness. Mental illness of one form or another is the overwhelming cause of suicide. Depression alone affects more than 19 million American adults, up to 8.3% of adolescents and 2.5% of children. Suicide is now the FOURTH leading cause of death for children 10-14, the SECOND leading cause of death in college students! Each suicide leaves behind a path of devastation. Parents, siblings, children, spouses, partners, friends, ect.. Many never recover completely, in a matter of fact, survivors of a loved one's suicide are FOUR TIMES more likely to also take their own life. Yet the stigma of mental illness lingers. Until we begin to treat diseases of the brain like any other physical illness they will continue to destroy innocent lives. Silence is deadly, especially when it comes to mental illness! Please visit these sites to learn more about suicide prevention and education. For suggestions, comments or anything else you would like to share, please email Eye On The Media. To report a problem with this website please contact the webmaster.