Walk for Suicide Prevention

Article & photos by Serena Bennett

 

 

 

 

As part of a suicide prevention effort, on April 25, the second annual Stomp Out Suicide walk was hosted at the Mahanoy Area High School track. I talked to Susan Moyer, a member of the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Taskforce, who helped to organize the walk.

“Everyone in my family was affected by someone who took their life,” said Moyer. “I don’t think there’s enough awareness.”

The first annual walk raised about $1,000, and Moyer hoped to triple that amount this year. The proceeds are donated directly to the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Taskforce.

This year’s walk included an auction to help raise money, and the number of participants had greatly increased. According to Taskforce Co-Chair Linda Wagner, last year’s walk had about 100 people. This year even The Devil’s Rejects Motorcycle Club, pictured above, attended in support of the cause.

It Impacts Everyone

Many lives have been impacted by suicide or depression. Whether it’s the loss of someone close to you or someone within your community, a suicide impacts everyone.

Stomp Out Suicide participant Tyler Ebert, of Mahanoy City, said “The walk means a lot to me personally because it shows that other people know how it feels to lose someone close to you. It blows my mind how many people came to support the people who have been lost.”

The topic of suicide is avoided for many reasons, but suicide is preventable and being informed about the myths and truths may help to save someone’s life.

Myths and Truths

The following information is from a Suicide Prevention Task Force pamphlet circulated at the walk to Stomp Out Suicide:

Myth: Suicide cannot be prevented. Once someone makes the decision to end their life, there is nothing you can do to stop them.

Fact: Despite what some may think, suicide is 100% preventable with the right resources and help. Many people who attempt or commit suicide don’t want to die; they want to end the physical or mental pain they feel. Many people who attempt or commit suicide have mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder.

Myth: People who take their own life are weak, selfish cowards or are looking for attention.

Fact: More than 90% of people who take their own life have at least one or more mental illness or struggle with substance abuse. If this is recognized and treated, many suicides are preventable.

Myth: Reducing access to lethal methods of suicide won’t work. If the person is serious they will find a way.

Fact: Many suicides are impulsive and triggered by an immediate crisis. Limiting access to lethal methods of suicide, such as barriers on bridges and safe firearm storage, can greatly reduce the risk of suicide. Without being able to take immediate action, it gives time for someone to intervene, the crisis to be solved, or the person to change his or her mind.

Myth: People who want to commit suicide do not tell others about it.

Fact: Many suicidal people will express their thoughts to someone or reach out before they attempt. If someone talks of taking his or her life, never ignore it. However, some people will not talk about their struggles. There are other things many suicidal people do that could show they are at risk. Giving away their items, self-harming, prior suicide attempts, losing interest in things they once enjoyed, tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death such as driving fast or running red lights could all be indicators that someone is at risk for suicide.

Help is Here

If you believe someone is at risk for suicide, access information or help at:

HelpGuide.org

The National Suicide Prevention Hotlines

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)