FOR KYRSTEN: SUICIDE PREVENTION

yrsten was a 13 yr old girl who attended a dance event at the Soul Festival in New Hampshire; she won 3rd place in the break dance competition. Full of life and energy... but in 2004 she tragically chose to end her life. Our hearts are grieved. There is emptiness where life once was.

Many of us find ourselves asking why so many of our young choose this path. More importantly, "what can we do to stop this plague?" I've been asking myself this very question. Suicide may not be the leading cause of death amongst our young; it is, however, one of the few that is preventable.

In 2001:

• 30,000+ people committed suicide - let's put this in perspective. There were approximately 50,000 U.S. combat deaths in the Vietnam War (1964–1975).
• Exact figures are unknown, but estimates range from 150,000 - 750,000 suicide attempts were made - perspective, approximately 150,000 soldiers were wounded in the Vietnam war.
• Females are more likely to attempt suicide.
• Males succeed at a much higher rate (almost a 4:1 ratio of male suicides to female).
• 11th leading cause of death - 3rd leading cause of death amongst the young.
• It is estimated that every suicide affects a minimum of 6 people on an intimate and tragic level... and many more in a general way.

What To Do?

I made suicide a part of the focus during DJ events. For one event, I put together a raffle/fund raiser. Record labels and artists including Flaming Fish, REGENERATOR, Bridgeshadows, Cold Fusion, Lycia/Lycium, and Zophim all donated CDs for the raffle. The proceeds were donated to 1-800-HIT-HOME, a youth crisis hotline. I feel these types of agencies have some of the most direct involvement in the prevention of teen suicide.

1-800-HIT-HOME is a youth crisis hotline founded by “Youth Development International.” YDI was started in 1959 in the New York City neighborhood with the highest juvenile crime rate in the nation-- Hell Gate Station, Harlem. This toll-free number is operated 24 hours a day/7 days a week and is manned by churches and individual volunteers across the country.

Today, the hotline receives hundreds of thousands of calls each year from all fifty states and Canada. The hotline volunteers regularly field calls from kids dealing with drug addiction, teen pregnancy, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, homelessness, prostitution, suicide and more! The assistance extended to them covers their practical, physical, emotional and spiritual needs. An extensive referral listing of shelters, churches and other youth ministries allows YDI counselors to offer help for the immediate needs of the kids as well.

I will be organizing other fundraising events in the future. If you are an artist, record label, or collector and would like to contribute Christian influenced “gothic, industrial, electronica” albums to this cause. Please send donations to:

Jason “theSaj”
c/o “In Kyrsten's Memory”
54 Sea St.
New Haven, CT
06519

If you would like more information about upcoming fund raising events, please visit my web site at www.porthaven.com.

If you would like more information about The National Youth Crisis Hotline or to make donations directly to them, please visit them at www.1800hithome.com.

Sincerely,
Jason “theSaj”