The U.S. needs a spur in job growth, people are unemployed and depressed about the current economic crisis. People are in a crisis and turning to look at ways in order to cope with their depression.  That depression is leading some people down a very dark, very scary path.  Some people think they are doing the right thing by turning to a doctor. A doctor who will prescribe an antidepressant.  Proper research needs to be done on antidepressants, and there needs to be more research done on depression and how to treat it without the use of harmful medications. Why doesn't the government fuel the U.S. economy by promoting more jobs within medical research, especially with antidepressants.   “The enormous human cost of suicide makes research and prevention a national priority. Worldwide, there are approximately 1 million suicides annually. In the last 25 years, approximately 750 000 people died by suicide in the United States, and suicides outnumber homicides by at least 3 to 2. Deaths from suicide exceeded deaths from AIDS by 200 000 in the past 20 years.”1 In the past two years I have lost several friends to suicide. My friends were healthy adults that were battling with a rising epidemic called depression. No one should have to bear losing a friend to suicide, not one, not two, or three. I know many people would argue that suicide is the most selfish act a person could commit. Well, here's the truth. Suicide in the eyes of the depressed is the most selfless act possible. I know because I suffer from depression. When I was put on Prozac I attempted suicide more than once. I should be dead, it is a freaking miracle that i am alive!  My thought process was this: "This way I won't be a burden to anyone anymore" and "This is the only way I know how to stop reliving this trauma." I am a rape survivor. Not all therapists, some therapists are quick to dispense an antidepressant to their patients in hopes that it will help. It's a hit or miss game of who does well on some drugs while others unfortunate demise proves them to be unfit candidates for the medications prescribed. I feel strongly that the pharmaceutical industries need to do further research before more people end up needlessly dead. These people are friends, co-workers, family members, and significant others. They are all important and not just some rat to be studied of who dies and who does not while on an antidepressant. I am unable to bring my friends back from the dead. No phoenix is going to rise from their ashes. If I can accomplish one thing in life it would be to get enough people to sign this petition in order to make a change, a good one. More research needs be done on how to cope more strategically with depression instead of using drugs which may end up killing yet another friend. You can help with a simple signature. Help to end the grief and suffering of those who have lost someone to suicide, and even help those who are depressed and too scared and shy to admit that they are feeling like taking their lives. You can help people do their jobs at the FDA and the pharmaceutical industries by showing the names, not numbers of people who are affected by suicide due to depression related individuals who were on antidepressants. You can help to spur job growth in medical research in order to battle this demon called depression.

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