Event Promotes Suicide Awareness

Researchers haven't found a specific reason for suicide, but there is a list of likely triggers that leads to it. The one common factor is the isolation frequently felt by the deceased before the event, and the survivors afterward.

That is according to Jennifer Moffett, chapter chairman of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Sunday, Sept. 16, was the first time a board member has attended a Walk Out of Darkness event in Sidney, she said, a history she hopes to correct.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States with 44,965 dying by suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Sunday, the Walk Out of Darkness event was held at Legion Park recognizing the impact of suicide in American society. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention goes on to say that for every suicide, there are 25 attempts; suicides cost the U.S. an estimated $69 billion annually.

Sunday's walk focused on recognizing the need for better treatment of mental health issues and, as the name implies, bring the issue out to the public.

At the start of Sunday's Walk Out of Darkness, Moffett addressed family and friends who have lost someone to suicide.

"They are not alone," she said. "There are many people dealing with it."

She later said the community needs to be more aware of mental health issues and include mental health in doctor visits.

"We need to be a community that is smart about mental health," she said. "I know if we stand for each other, we can stop suicide."

Moffett is not just a board member, she understands the grief and stress firsthand having lost her father to suicide.

"I lost my father 14 years ago," she said Sunday.

She said he was "an amazing man," but had struggles but didn't let anyone know about his internal struggles.

"He had inner demons he hid from everyone. His loss came as a shock to everyone," she said.

She said it took her family several years to publicly address their loss. She got involved in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention after she was handed a flyer during a parade.

"My biggest passion is advocacy and policy," she said.

She said she stands for people who are struggling, and works to see changes in how mental health is addressed. She said 90 percent of suicides have underlying mental health illnesses. She added mental illness alone is not responsible for the number of suicides. There are also environmental issues such as stressors the victim cannot cope with, and family history can also be a contributing factor, as well as several issues converging in the same time period.

Liz Borgmann, Juvenile Services Coordinator in Sidney, was also the organizer of Sunday's event. She said the event brought out 177 walkers. The event more than doubled its fundraising goal, generating almost $6,300 from a goal of $3,000; not including financial partners and a sponsorship by the Fraternal Order of Police. Registration to participate was free.

The Out of the Darkness walk included a partnership with Unified Raiders, she said. She said at the end of the 2017-2018 school year, the students wanted to do a project. Sunday's Walk Out of Darkness is the culmination of work and meetings since June.

Borgmann said people have always stigmatized unseen illnesses the most. She added she would like to see mental health treated as common as physical illnesses, including yearly checkups. She said the organization's goal is a 20 percent reduction in suicides by 2020.