Thank You for Your Support of
Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Recent statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify that:
- There is 1 death every 11 minutes.
- Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022.
- 13.2 million people seriously thought about suicide.
- 3.8 million people made a plan for suicide.
- 1.6 million people attempted suicide.
- The suicide rate among males in 2022 was approximately four times higher than the rate among females. Males make up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides.
- People ages 85 and older had the highest rates of suicide in 2022.
The Letter
Spend time during the month of September reflecting and write a #LiveLifeLoveLetter to yourself. Seal it in an envelope with a yellow heart. This love letter to yourself will serve as a reminder of the greatness you possess and how important you are to this world. Download these templates if you need help writing your letter.
the Light
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. Join us by lighting a candle near a window at 8pm (your time) to show your support for suicide prevention to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of suicide. Join LaQuisha at 7:30 PM EST as she reads her #LiveLifeLoveLetter and lights her candle live on YouTube.
The Look
Join LaQuisha on September 14th by sharing a photo of yourself in yellow to show your support for suicide prevention to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of suicide. Include a statistic, quote, affirmation in your caption to encourage onlookers.
Tag @4LifeProject, #LiveLifeLoveLetter, #WSPD2024, #StartTheConversation
LaQuisha’s Story
After growing up in a household where she experienced violence and abuse, LaQuisha began mentoring through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program at age 16. Her mentee was a young boy, also exposed to trauma, who refused to talk to anyone. LaQuisha encouraged him to talk to her; to the amazement of the BBBS program leaders and his teachers, he talked only her. However, while LaQuisha found a way to connect with him and others, she was still hurting herself.
LaQuisha left for college, hoping that changing her environment would make her life better. Unfortunately, during her freshman year, LaQuisha ingested 100+ pills after recurring thoughts of her past experiences became too much for her to bear.
Rushed to a local hospital, LaQuisha had an intense visit of cleansing her body of toxins that could have taken her life. Afterwards, it took time to cleanse herself of the thoughts and feelings that almost destroyed her life.
Before graduating, LaQuisha intimately connected with God, deepened her faith and snatched back her life to become the Confident Canvas she is today. She has dedicated her life to worldwide empowerment of youth, educating communities and inspiring others to hare their own testimonies.
Testimonial
Carolyn Washington, founder of Sisters 4 Sisters, Inc. has partnered with LaQuisha for more than a decade. Together they have advocated against domestic violence, sexual abuse and suicide. In 2023, LaQuisha hosted the Hope Suicide Prevention Luncheon on behalf of the organization for her 10th year. LaQuisha will host the event (virtually this year) again on September 14th at 11:00 AM EST.
Confident Canvas 