The Need

According to the Center for Disease Control and the National Center for Health Statistics, 26.2% of adults are diagnosed mental diseases.  This translates to over 57 million Americans, along with their families, living under an incredible burden.

It is very difficult to quantify attempted suicides.  Attempts can be seen as accidental by medical professionals and families, or can go completely unreported, making an exact number impossible.  However, it is understood by the Center for Suicidology that for each completed suicide there are anywhere from 8 to 25 tries.  These numbers are unacceptable and much must be done.

It is estimated that in the U.S., there are 31,655 completed suicides and 250,000 to 790,000 attempted suicides each year.  Mental illness accounts for 46 million visits to office-based physicians, 6.3 million out-patients, and 3.7 million emergency visits.