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Show it' December 16. 1965 REVIEW . Monster In Midst ,n vd f n family sJuine and presumed disgrace lead to distortion of statistics; and by hiding facts by a ratio of tiro out of every three, the seriousness of the problem is suppressed, the problem goes untreated Of every eight persons who attempt suicide, one succeeds. More fortunately, only one of every 50 youths who try are successful at suicide. Vie do not know, however, Mr. Marshall emphasized, what effect accident statistics traffic might have on the suicide coming In "I need help. Noone under- stands me. 1 have been sitting in this boarding house room for three days and youre the first adult Ive talked to in all that time Jim Is no psychologist. Hes not a sociologist; he's not a medical practitioner. What can he do to help the potential suicide? What can he tell the A student who got her first "C in a test? The honor student whose family laughs or ridicules such a problem while it grows and grows In her mind to a significance beyond any sense of reality reality what can to others, that is Jim do for such a scholar? We talk and we listen, Jim explained. For 20 minutes to an hour, any time of day or night, we talk and we listen. We are direct. Time is often most important. I try to convince them that they need to accept part of the responsibility by making just to profesone more call sional help. At least 80 of all suicides, he continued, 6eek help from In two years of someone. helping, of those who talked with Jim Marshall, none later took their lives. In Los Angeles, of 3,000 who called the statistics In Cleveland, Ohio, a study indicated that 35 of all one-c- ar accidents involve suicide or attempted suicide. In Los Angeles, where study facilities have been more extensive, it was shown last year that at least 50 of all one-c- ar accidents involve suicide or attempted suicide. Consider these statistics along with the report that at least 80 of all traffic accidents in Utah are one-c- ar accidents. Consider too, the significance of the facts which show that far more youths than adults are Involved In traffic suicide attempts. Have we an unseen monster in our midst? Cloaked in the veil of misunderstanding? How many of our youth, then, die in traffic because someone didnt listen; because someone didn't understand; didn't even try to understand; were too busy? center, less than 2 later killed themselves. 1 ask them; "What's the use?" Jim went on "I get to the point. I ask them: How are you golnr to do it? W dont know! "We must learn at once How much of our effort, at traffic safety how determined they are. directed When a boy tells me that through traffic courts and polhow theres a gun In the third ice traffic enforcement drawer from the top of the much of that effort Is misdirected? What portion of that dresser there across the expenditure might better be room; that hes going to lift directed toward understanding up a stack of shirts, pick up the gun, walk across the room and treatment of the everand sit in the easy chair, put growing suicide problem? the gun to his temple and pull Again, we dont know. when he tells me Since the collapse last the trigger March of the Infant Utah Suithat, he' ready. He's thought We have to act cide Prevention Center, In-- pi it all out. red into being by the efforts fist." and phenomenal success of "Is he alone now? Does he live alone? Can we send the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, Jim Marshall someone over to talk? Does as long and Bob Llppold have, almost he want to talk now and as much as he likes? clandestinely, without organization and without economic ' Meanwhile, why does youth use the automobile first; then support, served to keep organized suicide prevention alive the gun? The auto is the lethal weapon first made in Utah. to youth, Jim MarThelrnames and telephopesi J mhnbers have been left with shall said. With the automothe clergy, with police and bile, success may be an as it is with anv the PTA. And, calls keep accident other lethal instrument much of the time. The speeding youth may hope that an officer will stop him before he gets the courage he needs to crash. The older youth the youthful bride or groom may expect husband or wife to conform to daily habits and at six home procedures, A pill is taken with sharp. full expectation erf rescue, and possibly some underBut standing to follow. and how often? a flat tire, an extra cup of coffee with the gang; a late order at the office, and suicide threat with rescue certain becomes another death statistic. Until recently, a police offi- cer upon corning the half- hearted suicide try would respond indignantly; "She only wanted sympathy." Only? She DID want sympathy and understanding. She needed it so badly that she put her life on the line to get it! Because the Individual lacks communication with another, said Jim Marshall, the minute problem grows to gigantic proportions. Because he cant discuss it; be rational about it with someone, the problem becomes bigger than life. When prooiems become that important, Jim Marshall believes; unless we really dont" give a damn, then its time we did something about it. Its time the community insisted that the professional do something; that the professionals receive public support to act. (Next week; The profes- sional attitude toward the cide problem in Utah ) sui- TAKING A TRIP NEAR OR DISTANT? Desiring air, sea, rail, bus, hotel or motel reserve tiuns? Contact your travel specialist who offers FREE services and delivers to your borne or office without any hidden charges. 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