More than 200 Raise Nearly $24,000 for Suicide Prevention
By Val Jewell on Sat 09/15/2018 10:15pm
More than 200 supporters turned out to listen, to learn, to share . . . and to raise nearly $24,000 for Suicide Prevention at the annual Out of the Darkness Walk at Whitney Commons. Sheridan event co-leader Lisa O'Dell, who lost her son Justin to suicide in 2011, explains how money is raised and used locally:
Part of that funding boost came from 52 sponsors, including Gold Life sponsors ACT, O'dell Construction, Sheridan Media, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, and Tris Munsick and the Innocents, who also played music at the event.
Miss Wyoming Becky Bridger opened with brief remarks, followed by others who spoke, including Cal Furnish, co-leader with O'Dell of the local chapter of the AFSP {American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.}
Cal speculates on why Sheridan County continues to remain in the top ten nationwide for suicide statistsics each year:
Rebeccah Shore, new to the local AFSP board, shared a tragic incident that may help drive efforts to set up a national 3-digit number -- like 9-1-1 -- for those in crisis.:
The AFSP and the Veterans Administration currently lead that effort, with the support of Wyoming legislators, according to Malinda Fairbanks, Interim Chief of Mental Health at the Sheridan VAMC.
Students at Sheridan College, according to O'Dell, are encouraged to use a new on-line Interactive Screening Program which helps young people reach out before a crisis emerges. The initiative is linked to the AFSP website at: https://afsp.org/
Just before releasing "Doves of Love", Bridger closed the pre-walk portion of the gathering by reading a roll call of 40 in Sheridan County who fell to suicide this year.
Says Fairbanks, another informational forum will be held Thursday morning, September 20 at Fulmer Public Library:
An additional resource guide can be viewed on-line at https://www.wyomingbar.org/wp-co...
Friends hold hands as Cal calls for collaborative effort
Colors of Hope Explain Who Is Honored at Walk
Walk Held to Raise Funds, Awareness
Out of Darkness Walk is Saturday
Goal is to Reduce Suicides
September: Suicide Prevention Month
Upcoming 'Hike For Hope' For Suicide Prevention