The latest update on Veteran Suicides is out - and it's worse than previous estimates.

It was shocking enough when an average of 18 US Veterans committed suicide each day. New, more accurate figures move that toll to 22. Which equals one US Vet death by suicide every 65 minutes.

Jordin Hall had enough. A bullied gay teen in the town of LaGrande, Oregon finally went to the playground and hung himself from a play structure last week. Today he lingers in a hospital in Portland, having been removed from life support.

Life support. It's a term to ponder, especially for those who are the victims of bullying. In a way, that's what the Lines for Life YouthLine offers teens: Life support.

By Celia Vimont |

Using the designer drugs known as “bath salts” is like playing Russian roulette with your brain, according to an expert at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Michael H. Baumann, PhD, Chief of the Designer Drug Research Unit at NIDA’s Intramural Research Program, recently published a study that explains how bath salts cause dangerous effects in the brain.

Miss Oregon, Nichole Mead, has made supporting all veterans her platform for this year. Nichole's brother is a combat vet from the Iraq war and serves as her inspiration. We were proud to have her tour the Military Helpline  this fall and learn more about how our 24/7 line provides real help to our returning vets.

We applaud Nichole for using her "bully pulpit" to promote the success of those who have served us so well. Thank you!

This is one top ranking Oregon doesn't want. And the State of Washington is number three on the list.*

Prescription pain pill abuse is a huge concern, and Oregon has the highest rate of nonmedical use of prescription pain drugs. This category of drugs are often known by their brand names: OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol and others. These are opioids - synthetic versions of opium.

Because opioids cause euphoria, they have been associated increasingly with misuse and abuse.

And they carry a huge potential for addiction.

Suicide is the nation's 10th leading cause of death, claiming more than twice as many lives each year as does homicide. Oregon has more than seven times as many suicides as homicides. This week, the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention released the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to guide prevention efforts during the next decade. The report underscores that everyone has a role in this vital cause. Lines for Life is honored to be a partner through our free and anonymous Crisis Lines.

Annually, over 6,500 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related injuries involving underage drinking and thousands more are injured! Almost 2,400 youth under 21 die in drinking and driving crashes, almost 2,400 die in other accidents, falls, fires etc., 1,500 die in alcohol-related homicides, 300 due to suicide and others to alcohol overdose.

February 12-18, 2012 is Children of Alcoholics Week – A Celebration of Hope and Healing – Across Generations.

http://youtu.be/HlW9odiMIyM

Teens from Oregon were awarded first prize yesterday for their entertaining counter-beer ad at the “Free the Bowl” World Premiere 2012 in San Rafael, California.

How do you honor the memory of a loved one who took their own life?

The friends of the late musician Ruzbeh Mosaedi are holding another concert to raise awareness of suicide and to help fund efforts to avoid teen suicide.