Event: Tues, Jan 31, 2017 at St. Edward’s Church Youth Room.
Responding to the needs of their parishioners and recent suicide losses in our community, St. Edward’s and Beacon Tree Foundation are co-hosting an event focused on mental health, suicide awareness and prevention.
This event is for parents, teens and young adults. Recommended age is high school teens. Younger than that is up to the discretion of the parent and we trust your judgement. I will be following reviewed guidelines set forth by ReportingonSuicide.org.
Ninety percent of all suicides are the result of someone that suffers from a mental health disorder and suicidal thoughts are the result of temporary disordered thinking. What’s more, 90% of parents are not aware of a child’s previous suicide attempt.
Suicide is not a solution. And if your brain is telling you it is, it’s time to reach out for help. Period. If you suffer suicidal thoughts, you should have this number in your phone and be prepared to call anytime you are suffering from the pain of those thoughts: 1-800-273-8255. Reaching out for help is not a weakness, it’s an act of courage.
I’ll share the story of Charles’ suicide that was a result of an episode of depression and withdrawal from heroin. I will be showing real examples of clues also called “invitations” that preceded my son’s suicide as well as two other examples shared with me by readers.
Most who suffer these thoughts don’t want to kill themselves, they just want to stop the pain. They do want to tell someone and we need to give them permission to do so by showing our support.
Keep in mind there are more people that survive suicide attempts or never act on suicidal thoughts and that the mental health issues that trigger such thoughts are treatable. So there is hope. If I can have hope after the most devastating loss of my life, you can, too.
I’ll also share a letter from a young lady who read a post here and as a result reached out for help when she suffered thoughts of killing herself. It was when I got that message, that I made the decision to sell my partnership in my business and pursue suicide prevention full time. My sense of purpose became more defined that day after months of trying to figure out which way I should be headed.
The why, what to do, and where to find help will be included in this presentation with time for your questions. Keep in mind this is an overview and to really understand suicide, you have to educate yourself. This is a first proactive step to doing so.
If any of my loyal villagers here want to anonymously share any examples of texts or messages that illustrate suicide attempts or completed suicides in the effort to make others aware and prevent others from standing in our shoes, please contact me (no last suicide notes, please). Any personal details can be edited out. Screenshots are fine.
I hope you will join us for this Richmond, Virginia event on Tues, Jan 31, 2017 at St. Edward’s Church.
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Event details here
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Resource page here
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