LIHUE — Kauai, in 2010, had the second-highest rate per-capita of suicide in the state, according to state Department of Health statistics.
The report also states that there are an annual average of 170 suicides in Hawaii, with a peak of 200 deaths in 2010.
Kauai Island Ministries and youth leaders from other churches want to change this with its “Stomp Out Suicide/From Death to Life” rally starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
They invite youth from sixth grade and older to an inspirational evening ending with a concert in a drug-free environment.
Recent studies indicate that more U.S. adolescents and young adults, in the late 2010s compared to the mid-2000s, experienced serious psychological distress, major depression, or suicidal thoughts, and more attempted suicide, said Jean Twenge, author of the book “iGen” and professor of psychology at San Diego State University.
The Rev. David Leong, pastor of the Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church in Hanalei, is chairman of the rally, where Kaylynn Drake, the Aloha State Ambassador of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, will deliver the keynote address.
Drake, a recent graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama and the founder of Kekua Aloha Foundation, is no stranger to suicide, seeing friends and relatives overcome life challenges.
Since establishing Kekua Aloha Foundation four years ago with Burn Out Suicide, an annual gathering at Kapaa Beach Park, Drake has spoken to hundreds of young people to help them overcome depression and thoughts of suicide.
There will be a free chili-and-rice dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. prizes, a presentation by school Bible club leaders, hip-hop dancing and drama. Young people who join the worship team that practices every Friday evening from 6 p.m. at the Aloha Church in Lihue will be given T-shirts.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
There’s a huge backstory behind the suicides and how it got identified. It is/was identical to the population control pushed through out the world.
Profits behind suicides that aren’t talked about. Yes, there were people on island and in the state of Hawaii that profited from the increase in suicides.