Pictured above, Jamestown Out of the Darkness Walk Co-Chairs. From left to right: Jennifer Baker, Lorene Benjamin, and Wendy Switzer.

JAMESTOWN – Community members from all over the Chautauqua region are expected to participate in the upcoming Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Jamestown on Saturday, October 13.

The fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) by helping support local suicide prevention and awareness programs right here in Chautauqua County.

The Jamestown Out of the Darkness Community Walk will take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in downtown Jamestown, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the walk beginning at 10 a.m.

To register, go to www.outofthedarkness.org and click on find an event to search and register for the Jamestown Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

The Jamestown walk is one of hundreds of Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held across all 50 states this fall. The walks are expected to unite more than a quarter of a million walkers nationally and raise more than $15 million for suicide prevention and research efforts.

“The Out of the Darkness AFSP suicide prevention walk has helped me immensely to heal after my father’s suicide,” said Wendy Switzer, Wall Co-Chair. “The most important factor to me personally is to spread awareness if sharing my story with others will help someone choose a different path. I want people to realize how much it affects the survivors.”

The goal for this year’s Jamestown walk is to raise $28,000. When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

“There are numerous ways you can participate even if you are not able to attend in person,” said Annie Rosenthal, Public Relations Coordinator at Chautauqua Tapestry. “Donations can be made by going to www.outofthedarkness.org and clicking on find an event to search for the Jamestown walk. Those interested in becoming a sponsor of the event can contact Missy at MStolfi@afsp.org. We are also seeking baskets for the raffle and baked goods.”

The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the local suicide awareness and prevention coalition within Chautauqua County, is organizing the walk with other local organizations including the WNY Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Chautauqua Tapestry, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Free coffee coupons will be given to all walk attendees courtesy of the Labyrinth Press Co.

Many passionate community members are also involved in the organization and planning of the Jamestown walk.

“The walk is so important because so many people, who need this support and awareness in their life, learn of it once it’s too late,” said Jennifer Baker, Walk Co-Chair. “We want this topic to be talked about until it’s not a taboo thing and people who are struggling won’t be afraid to tell someone they need help.”

“Spreading awareness for suicide prevention has become an important part in my life as I have had family members die by suicide as well as friends that I’m extremely close to have lost family members to suicide,” said Lorene Benjamin, Walk Co-Chair. “ I want others to know what help that is available to them in the community. Never be afraid to ask for help.”

“The group is continually working on putting together trainings on topics of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention that will be available to local organizations, agencies, schools and community members,” said Victoria Patti, coordinator of the Community Alliance. “Our goal is to create a change in the way we currently look at suicide and eliminate the stigma surrounding the topic as a whole. We hope that the end result of increased education will be a reduction in the number of suicides in our community. The over-arching mission is to eliminate occurrences of suicide all together. Suicide has devastating effects on so many people. There needs to be better understanding regarding its causes and prevention. There is so much misinformation surrounding the topic of suicide and the underlying mental disorders that can sometimes lead to suicide. The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is aimed at raising awareness and eliminating that stigma.”

“In 2018, we have seen increased attention across the nation to the topics of mental health and suicide, and it truly feels we are reaching a turning point in terms of how we view and talk about these crucial health issues in our communities,” said Missy Stolfi, Area Director of Western & Central New York, AFSP. “Walks such as this are essential in increasing the visibility of those who live with mental health conditions, and help reduce the dangers of stigma. We at AFSP are grateful for each member of our community who raises their voice through the Jamestown Out of the Darkness Walk in order to put a human face to mental health, and help save lives from suicide.”

About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy as well as to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide. For more information please visit www.afsp.org.

[MEDIA RELEASE]

MAYVILLE – Suicide is a serious public health problem that takes an enormous toll on families, friends, classmates, co-workers, and communities. Uncovering the reasons for an individual suicide death is complex and challenging.  Suicide deaths are usually not precipitated by one cause only.

If you suspect someone may be at risk for suicide, take it seriously. Fifty to 75 percent of people who attempt suicide tell someone about their intention in some way; sometimes it can be obvious but other times we might need to be aware of more subtle signs. Ask the person questions. Begin by telling the person that you feel is at risk that you are concerned about them. Tell them specifically what they have said or done that makes you feel concerned about suicide. Don’t be afraid to ask whether the person is considering suicide, and whether they have a particular plan or method in mind. These questions will not push them toward suicide if they were not considering it.  Do not be afraid to use the word suicide; asking directly about suicide is important in prevention. Many times a person who is thinking of suicide wants someone to listen to the pain that they are experiencing.

Do not try to argue someone out of suicide. Instead, let them know you care, they are not alone and they can get help. Avoid pleading and preaching to them with statements such as, “You have so much to live for,” or “Your suicide will hurt your family.” And finally, actively encourage the person to see a physician or mental health professional immediately. People considering suicide often believe they cannot be helped. If you can, assist them to identify a medical professional in their community and schedule an appointment.  If you are concerned that the person is in immediate danger, call 911 or the Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-724-0461.

Social media also offers resources to help. For example, when someone is talking or posting about suicide on Facebook, please report the post by selecting the option, ‘I think it shouldn’t be on Facebook,’ then select, ‘It’s threatening, violent or suicidal,’ and then the option, ‘Self-injury or suicide.’ You will then be able to select an option including support to your friend, reach out to a friend you trust, receive tips from suicide prevention experts on how to help, or you can select to have Facebook review the post.

“We want to stress that there is a lot of help and supports in our community,” said Victoria Patti, Coordinator of the Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention. “It is better to report the concern to a medical professional or call 911, than to do nothing at all or think someone else will do it. Community members need to understand and know the warning signs of suicide and be brave enough to ask the question, ‘Are you thinking of suicide?’ Those that are thinking of suicide may just want to be heard and their pain to be understood.  Taking the time to ask more questions and being open to hearing a person’s story can be what someone needs to take that step to receive help or other supports.  Take all warning signs seriously and please reach out hand; you may save a life.”

Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello and Director of Community Mental Hygiene Services Patricia Brinkman also want to stress that suicide prevention and awareness is an important topic for community conversations and that there is help in the community.

“It is so important that we talk about these concerns and don’t brush them aside and hope they go away” said Brinkman. “We need to create a community culture in which we feel comfortable in talking about mental health openly and honestly in order to receive the support and resources necessary to work towards wellness. There is still stigma surrounding the topic of mental health, and we hope to break this stigma by continuing out awareness and prevention efforts.”

“We all must recognize the many life struggles individuals may face, and it is important that everyone in our communities is aware of the warning signs of suicide and the resources available,” said Borrello. “By lending a hand or a listening ear, reminding someone they are not alone, providing information about available support services, and reaching out with kindness to someone who you believe is at risk of suicide are ways we can help these individuals receive the assistance they need to find a better, healthier solution to the personal issues that may be troubling them.”

Knowing the warning signs of suicide could be potentially lifesaving for an individual in crisis. They are as follows:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated, or behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings

These signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. Risk is greater if a behavior is new or has recently increased in frequency or intensity, and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs, seek help. Resources are available. However, if in a serious emergency, dial 911 immediately.

“There are also supports in the community for those who have experienced personal loss due to suicide,” said Annie Rosenthal, PR Coordinator at Chautauqua Tapestry.  “The Survivors of Suicide Loss Bereavement Support Group offers community members a safe space to share with others their experiences and who are feeling similar emotions of loss.”

The Survivors of Suicide Loss Bereavement Support Group resumes on October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care in Lakewood.

The group is facilitated by Carri Raynor, who is a suicide loss survivor and has been trained by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Bereavement Group Facilitation. This support group is collaboration among Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, and The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention. For more information about the group, email Carri Raynor at carriraynor@gmail.com.

Local Community Mental Health Resources:

• Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline: 1-800-724-0461, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. Mobile Crisis Team, 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and  24 hours on weekends and holidays, accessed through the Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline
• Chautauqua County Mental Health Clinics, Jamestown: (716) 661-8330, Dunkirk: (716) 363-3550
• UPMC Chautauqua Outpatient Mental Health Program, Dunkirk: (716) 664-8641
• The Resource Center Mental Health, Jamestown: (716) 661-1590, Dunkirk: (716) 366-7660
• Hospice Chautauqua County Bereavement Services (all ring into the administrative offices), Jamestown/Lakewood: (716) 338-0033, Dunkirk/Fredonia: (716) 672-6944, Mayville: (716) 753-5383
• Mental Health Association Support and Linkages: (716) 661-9044

National Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.