Organizers gearing up for suicide prevention in September

BY TERRY SCHMIDA

As everyone knows suicide is a deadly serious problem, affecting all segments of society and all age groups.

In the wake of several high-profile local suicide cases in recent months, and with September designated as National Suicide Prevention Month, and Sept. 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day.

organizers in the Keys are preparing to step up their campaign to fight back against Monroe County’s suicide rate – which for several years held the dubious distinction of being the highest in the state.

“Our focus is to first update everyone on the latest suicide statistics for our community,” said Mary Lou Hoover, who serves as the Out of the Darkness walk coordinator for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The AFSP is a national organization that raises awareness, funds scientific research, and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide. They also advocate for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention.

“We just received the statistics for 2016 from the Florida Health Department and we have some encouraging news to report. We had been holding the number 1 spot for having the highest rate of suicide of all 67 counties for the last several years. In 2016, we dropped down to sixth place of the 67 counties, so we have made improvement, but we have a ways to go.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 6 Hoover and AFSP Regional Director for Central and South Florida, Tara Sullivan, will speak at a Key West Business Guild luncheon. Later that day they’ll take to the airwaves with Ezra Marcus of U.S. 1 Radio to discuss AFSP’s upcoming safeTALK training sessions and Bottle Cap fundraiser. On Wednesday, September 6th, AFSP will be receiving a proclamation from the City of Key West at their Commission meeting.

Then on Thursday, Sept. 7th, the organization will hold their safeTALK training session in the multi-purpose room at AIDS Help’s Poinciana Royale complex, on Duck Ave.

“We have space available for up to 30 people,” Hoover said. “The cost is just $10 to cover materials used, and Tara Sullivan from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be putting on the training.”

To round out the week’s activities, we have a joint fundraiser at the Bottle Cap from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8th. AFSP will be sharing the proceeds with AIDS Help’s queen of Fantasy Fest candidate, Vicki Hodgson.

The event will feature guest bartenders, a 50/50 raffle and prize raffle, hot dogs and hamburgers, and more.

AFSP will be encouraging all local churches to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday, Sept. 10

Mary Lou and her former Leadership Monroe friends have started up their suicide awareness speaking group again. Group members include Hoover, Col. Lou Caputo from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Senmartin, a gun shop owner from Marathon and newcomer, Natalie Madruga, who lost her dad, Manny Madruga, to suicide last year.

“We’re talking about how each of us in the community is responsible to be a part of the solution,” Hoover said. “When you know someone is going through a rough time, you have to reach out, go and visit that person and ask the tough questions. We are also advocating for removing the means of suicide from the house of someone in crisis. We are working on having local gun shop owners and law enforcement to work with us on this initiative. And finally, Natalie talks openly about the loss of her dad and how she has used that experience to commit to suicide awareness and prevention by getting involved with AFSP.”

On Sunday, Dec. 3 AFSP will host the Third Annual Out of the Darkness Walk at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on College Road. Teams are already forming and fundraising for the event has commenced. This year, AFSP is is inviting community partners and non-profits to have a table at the walk, which has become an important community event.

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES:Guidance Care Center of the Florida Keys 305-434-7660.  National Suicide Prevention Hotline number as a resource. 1-800-273-8255