According to the World Health Organization, more than 800,000 people take their own lives each year.
More than 40,000 of those suicides happen each year in the U.S.
About 25 times as many people attempt suicide. And some who fail in the first attempt will ultimately succeed.
It's a tragedy. Because suicide not only ends one life, it has a permanent effect of the lives of countless other left behind to deal with the loss, the pain, the unanswered questions.
The most common of those questions is likely "What could I have done to prevent this?"
Friday is World Suicide Prevention Day. Since 2003 the International Society for Suicide Prevention and WHO have used September 10 to educate the public about what they can do to help save a life on the brink.
You can find out more at their website, iasp.info.
Suicide is a horrible thing. It's horrible for the ones left behind as well. Anything that can be done to help those who may be close to the edge is worth the effort.
Friday is the day to learn what you can do.