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Suicide survivors share their experiences this Nov. 21
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
COLUMBIA COUNTY — Across the nation on the afternoon of Nov. 21, people whose lives were affected by suicide will gather together for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s National Survivors of Suicide Day. Some of them will be in Hudson, as well as six other locations in the capital region.
Held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the day is in its eleventh year of observation; it was created by a U.S. Senate resolution in 1999. Participants will gather for a day of conferences, syndicated nationwide, allowing survivors of suicide to share their experiences with others.
“All of the conferences are joined in at the same time, so they all play the same broadcast from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.,” said Marisa LaFrance, Capital Region Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The free event is about three hours long and is sponsored by the Columbia County Department of Human Services. It will take place at the county Mental Health Center at 325 Columbia Street in Hudson and will run from noon to 3 p.m. A “ceremony of hope” will follow the broadcast, allowing survivors to connect with one another and share their stories. Lunch will also be served.
In 2008, there were 20 suicides in Columbia County, a number much higher than average.
“There’s always work to be done,” said LaFrance. “It’s all about prevention on our end.”
LaFrance said the most common misconception about suicide is the prevalence of diagnosable psychiatric disorders. “People don’t know that 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a psychiatric disorder,” she said, adding that mental illness is treatable if identified.
The stigma surrounding psychiatric disorders and mental illness is powerful, said LaFrance, which can block awareness.
“Years ago, remember when people didn’t want to talk about cancer? But then they started talking about it, and the stigma started to decrease,” she said. “It’s the same thing with suicide. People think you might catch it.”
LaFrance also said that suicide can be prevented if loved ones can pick up on warning signs. “People think some suicides occur without any kind of warning... most people who do commit suicide do give some warning. It’s important just to recognize the signs of someone who is at risk.”
Some warning signs can include serious depression, increased alcohol or drug use, recent impulsiveness or taking unnecessary risks, threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die, giving away prized posessions, and sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm.
LaFrance said only a few people are signed up for Columbia County’s program at press time “but hopefully, that will increase.” To participate, register online at www.afsp.org or call or e-mail LaFrance directly at 518-289-5183 or MLafrance@afsp.org.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
Held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the day is in its eleventh year of observation; it was created by a U.S. Senate resolution in 1999. Participants will gather for a day of conferences, syndicated nationwide, allowing survivors of suicide to share their experiences with others.
“All of the conferences are joined in at the same time, so they all play the same broadcast from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.,” said Marisa LaFrance, Capital Region Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The free event is about three hours long and is sponsored by the Columbia County Department of Human Services. It will take place at the county Mental Health Center at 325 Columbia Street in Hudson and will run from noon to 3 p.m. A “ceremony of hope” will follow the broadcast, allowing survivors to connect with one another and share their stories. Lunch will also be served.
In 2008, there were 20 suicides in Columbia County, a number much higher than average.
“There’s always work to be done,” said LaFrance. “It’s all about prevention on our end.”
LaFrance said the most common misconception about suicide is the prevalence of diagnosable psychiatric disorders. “People don’t know that 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a psychiatric disorder,” she said, adding that mental illness is treatable if identified.
The stigma surrounding psychiatric disorders and mental illness is powerful, said LaFrance, which can block awareness.
“Years ago, remember when people didn’t want to talk about cancer? But then they started talking about it, and the stigma started to decrease,” she said. “It’s the same thing with suicide. People think you might catch it.”
LaFrance also said that suicide can be prevented if loved ones can pick up on warning signs. “People think some suicides occur without any kind of warning... most people who do commit suicide do give some warning. It’s important just to recognize the signs of someone who is at risk.”
Some warning signs can include serious depression, increased alcohol or drug use, recent impulsiveness or taking unnecessary risks, threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die, giving away prized posessions, and sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm.
LaFrance said only a few people are signed up for Columbia County’s program at press time “but hopefully, that will increase.” To participate, register online at www.afsp.org or call or e-mail LaFrance directly at 518-289-5183 or MLafrance@afsp.org.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
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