Suicides are often thought to be the result of people suffering a broken heart, poor finances or even failure to achieve a goal. However, not many understand but people take such a drastic step as the last resort to stop the emotional pain.

Taking note of the increasing number of suicides, a three-hour seminar was conducted at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center on the 15th of March. The event was presented by the Executive Director of Overcoming the Darkness, Eric Weaver.

Talking about the need to listen to people when they are talking, Weaver opined that god gave us a mouth and two ears for a reason. He said that many of us were good talkers; however, it was rare to find a good listener.

The seminar was a part of the SafeTALK program that has been implemented to counter the increasing problem of suicides all across the nation.

According to the figures available, 60% Americans happen to know a person who has committed suicide. Apart from that, one-fifth people living in America know someone who has committed suicide; it needs to be kept in mind that they are usually seen among teens, war veterans, elderly and homeless people.

The point of the seminar was to raise awareness and to forward a helping hand to someone who might need help.