Child Advocacy Encourages Conversation During Suicide Prevention Month

By William Meiners
Herald Staff Writer
In 2020, nearly 46,000 people in the United States died by suicide. That national number, which is more than the number of folks living in Gratiot County, points to a problem that knows no geographic limits. Throughout September’s Suicide Prevention Month, Child Advocacy is both hosting and participating in numerous events to help get potentially tough conversations started.
The month started with a free virtual lunch and learn on “QPR suicide prevention training.” QPR, according to Emily Rayburn, program director of Child Advocacy’s substance abuse coalition, stands for “question, persuade, and refer.”
“It’s extremely important to have these conversations with anybody,” said Rayburn, noting the importance of the QPR training. “When someone talks about suicide, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to do that. People often want to talk to someone and want to know you care.”
To that end, it’s important as a parent, guardian, friend, even a coworker to be cognizant of warning signs and ready to talk to someone. “It’s okay to ask someone if they’re thinking about hurting themselves,” Rayburn said.
Child Advocacy had booths in three Farmers Markets throughout the county on three consecutive days in Ithaca, Alma, and St. Louis. People could pick up suicide prevention materials and prescription disposable bags.
Each Wednesday in September, Shana Dancer is offering “gentle yoga classes” at ZenLightenment Wellness Center. The class is open to yoga participants at all levels.
In midmonth, Child Advocacy invites people to “Walk a Mile” at the Capitol in Lansing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also participate in that event by walking a mile anywhere and sharing a picture on social media to raise awareness for mental health care.
Between September 17 and 19, the community will have an opportunity to watch a free online screening of “My Ascension,” a documentary film that spreads hope and fights suicide. People can also sign up for a noon discussion on Monday, September 19, with Greg Dicharry and Emma Benoit, the respective filmmaker and main subject of the documentary.
Representatives will also be on hand Saturday for the “Walk for Mental Health Awareness” at Ithaca High School. There, walkers will complete 22 laps around the high school track, each lap representing of same number of people in the United States who take their own lives each day.
You might also notice fields of yellow flags around Gratiot County throughout the month. The flags are placed to honor those who have died by suicide and help raise awareness on suicide prevention. To order your own field of flags, you can email Child Advocacy through sara@childadvocacy.net.
Rayburn, who began working at Child Advocacy four and a half years ago, has witnessed the programming for Suicide Prevention Month really take shape in recent years. In addition to all of the events, a “suicide death review team,” with partners from MyMichigan Health, the Health Department, and Gratiot Integrated Health Network, are looking at the correlation between suicides and substance abuse.
Rayburn and her colleagues are hoping that the conversations on the subject of suicide will only help to prevent more of them. For more information, you can visit www.childadvocacy.net, or contact Rayburn directly at emily@childadvocacy.net.[private]