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      Suicide is defined as death caused by self injurious behavior with the intent to die as a result of the behavior.  A suicide attempt is a non-fatal attempt to end one’s life.  Suicidal ideation refers to planning, thinking, or considering suicide.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47, 500 people. Suicide was the leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44, and the fifth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 45 and 54 (National Institute of Mental Health).   
     One loss to suicide is too many; however, I shuddered at the thought of a ten year old thinking, attempting or committing suicide.  I began to weep because a ten year old has not begun to live.  A ten year old does not have to pay bills or partake in the decision making process as it relates to household responsibilities.  What could possibly contribute to stress in the life of a ten year old?  There are many factors that contribute to a child wanting to end his/her life such as bullying, molestation, rejection, abuse, neglect, parents who are mentally unwell, being exposed to domestic violence and substance abuse.  A child being exposed to this level of trauma cannot process his/her emotions; therefore, death becomes a solution. 
     Regardless of the age group, death becomes a solution for a lot of people who are in pain.  Many of us carry our emotional baggage from childhood to adulthood.  None of us like pain, but pain is one of life’s experiences that all of us have in common.  Emotional pain is as real as physical pain.  The only difference is physical pain has an immediate solution.  We can take a pill in order to get immediate relief from a backache, toothache or headache.   Emotional pain is not as easy to resolve.  Getting relief from emotional pain is a process.  Let’s face it pain is pain whether you are ten or seventy.  The irony of this is life can be painful yet beautiful.     
     To the man, woman, boy or girl contemplating suicide, I see you, I was you and I want you to live.  I encourage you to choose life.  I know that it hurts right now and it’s okay.  You have a right to feel how you feel. Emotions and thoughts change over time.  Reframing your thoughts can reduce emotional turmoil.  Instead of asking “What is wrong with me?”  Try asking, “What happened to cause me this type of pain?” Channel that pain into becoming the next minister, teacher, mental health/substance abuse counselor, child abuse investigator, or domestic violence/sexual assault spokesperson by advocating for someone else.  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV).    
     “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).   God never promised us a life free from pain or suffering.  He did promise to deliver us from all of the pain and suffering.  Again, the world will not be better off without you, the world is better because of you.