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Christian Author, Yolanda Shanks Releases “Destined to Live, Despite Me” An excellent resource that answers many questions with Biblical truths about suicide. 
 
Cincinnati, OH. - ChristianNewsToday.com - Newswire Service/ -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - in the United States alone it is estimated that 91 people will commit suicide this very day. According to their statistics this is equivalent to one successful suicide every 16 minutes.

 

The CDC Summer of 2009 Statistics Publication article "Facts at a Glance" listed suicide as the eleventh leading cause of death among Americans, the second leading cause of death among 25-to 34-year-olds, and the third leading cause of death among 15-to 24-year-olds. The data states that suicide deaths are only part of the problem since more people actually survive suicide attempts than who actually die from suicide.
 
Yolanda Shanks, author of "Destined to Live, Despite Me," knows very well the emotions and issues leading up to suicide, having survived a suicide attempt early in life. 
 
“Yes, I am a suicide attempt survivor, and I understand completely how the trials and tribulations of this life can rage so severe at times that we might experience the emotion of despair (a feeling of hopelessness) at life itself. Because of my previous attempt as a teenager to end my life, as a young adult, when I sought to pick up the pieces and move forward, I struggled with self-worth and with feelings of guilt and shame, which all affected how I approached life.” 

“There were questions for which I still needed answers in order to live free from my past. You too may have some of these same questions as well: Who truly am I? Why me? Where does pain come from? What’s next? What’s needed to rebuild my life from here? Who is God? Does God still love me? Do I deserve love? What is hope? What is faith? What is salvation? What am I being saved from? How can I shake the embarrassment, guilt and shame from my past?” All these questions are well worth your research and discovery. Many times, after a struggle, we have identified and fixed the underlying issues and eliminated suicide as an available alternative. Still, although we have made a conscious decision to live a meaningful life, possibly we have not mapped out a plan to deal with future negative events that will arise.” 

Yolanda understands and tackles the stigma associated with surviving suicide directly and has written a book with warmth and compassion outlining the biblical approach to rebuilding one's life. She offers scriptural truths and practical solutions for the many painful issues suicide-attempt survivors face after they have sought and obtained needed medical counseling. 

Psalm 118:17 “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD…”
 
Senior Pastor, Alief Baptist Church, Houston, TX, Donald G. Burgs, Jr., states, "This is the time for a book such as this! ’Destined to Live, Despite Me' shares with the reader Mrs. Shank's story of why and how she survived the attempt of suicide during her teenage years. Further, Yolanda expresses to the readers how she, as well as they, must toss the 'cookie-cutter image' of the face of suicide. Many more people within our church communities need to be as open, focused, and passionate about assisting persons within our congregation who wrestle with thoughts of taking their own lives. This is a definitive word with biblical principles for attempted suicide survivors." 
　
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11–13

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide. Washington, DC: 1999 made the following statement "Suicide is a serious public health problem." Yolanda Shanks agrees: "As the American people continue to struggle with economic calamities, social woes, and family breakdowns, God is the inexhaustible component to combat this problem and provide spiritual healing."
 

Author, Yolanda Shanks Destined to Live, Despite Me  www.yolandashanks.com Tele: 281-491-9847

About Yolanda Shanks
Having survived a suicide attempt in her teens, years later, Yolanda is now a Bible study facilitator and small group leader who writes with warmth and compassion, offering scriptural truths and practical solutions for the many painful issues suicide attempters face. Yolanda is a wife, mother, grandmother and a proud native of Texas. 
　
Media: Yolanda Shanks (Tele: 281-491-9847) is available for Christian radio, newspaper, magazine and Christian television interviews.