LIMA — Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Lima on Saturday for the 10th annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk, an event meant to honor the lives of lost loved ones and to get people talking about an issue that often goes unspoken.
“We can’t reduce the stigma about suicide unless we get it out in the open and talk about it,” said Donna Dickman, director of the Partnership for Violence Free Families. “We want to celebrate the lives we have lost to suicide, and see what we can do to help prevent others.”
New to this year’s event was a 5K run, which was held early in the morning before the walk began. The run featured some 100 participants, and the walk drew more than 200 people who marched from Coleman Behavioral Health to Town Square and back.
At Coleman, several tables were set up to show people the variety of mental health and suicide prevention services that are available in the region. Coleman provides these services, along with Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth and the Family Resource Center of Northwest Ohio. The Partnership for Violence Free Families also holds a support group for suicide “survivors,” or those who are grieving the loss of a loved one by suicide.
“That’s the great thing about our community — the mental health resources are all right here,” Dickman said.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and is the No. 1 cause of death for 10- to 14-year-olds in Ohio. Dickman said these statistics are alarming, and that it shows the need for events such as the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk are stronger than ever.
“It’s something that needs to be talked about, but we have this fear that if we say it [suicide], people will then be encouraged to do it,” she said. “That’s not the case. What it does is open that conversation to say, ‘Let’s talk about it.’”
Lisa Ashafa, director of peer services at Coleman, agreed with Dickman.
“There are so many people out there struggling with everyday life challenges,” Ashafa said. “They need to know there are people like us here that will listen, versus them having to feel like they’re alone and hopeless.”
One of the walk’s participants, Chris Estes, said she felt hopeless and alone when her son took his life six years ago. She said she was fortunate to meet other families who had been through a similar tragedy, and that it helped her cope. Now she wants to help others.
“I know it’s just so important to have that personal touch, and to be there for others,” Estes said. “I did everything the hard way, and it was very painful. So if I can guide someone else, I want to do that.”
Ashafa said she was also personally affected by suicide, as three of her friends attempted to take their own lives while she was in high school.
“Back then, it just wasn’t talked about,” she said. “Today it’s broadcasted everywhere, and it’s good that we are now a community that can talk about things. There’s still growth that needs to happen, but events like this are how we start to make changes.”
The Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk wasn’t the only event happening Saturday. An “Out of Darkness” Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was held on the campus of Ohio Northern University.
The event raised money for survivors, a college campus program called “Truth About Suicide,” a “More Than Sad” educational program for high school students, and training for local field advocates who fight for suicide prevention legislation.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk on Saturday September 24, 2014 in Lima
photo by DENNIS SAAM for The Lima News
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk on Saturday September 24, 2014 in Lima
photo by DENNIS SAAM for The Lima News
Sheila Crone who died three years ago in August.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk on Saturday September 24, 2014 in Lima
photo by DENNIS SAAM for The Lima News
