Ninth Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day

November 17, 2007 was the ninth annual National Survivors of Suicide day and with over 130 cities participating, many were expected to attend and help heal. Our area had its forth annual event at the Pocono Medical Center's Learning Institute in Stroudsburg where about 15 survivors from our area attended to get support as well as give support to others.

Event organizers, Erin Baehr, Beverly Baker and Marie Andrysiak set up the event and made sure it all ran smoothly. Baker was able to get food for the attendees from a very generous Subway in Bartonsville. "It was very generous of them to donate a variety of subs for the event. We were hoping to get a discount but they decided to just donate it all to us," Baehr explains.

At the beginning of the event, two candles are lit. Shortly after that, one candle is blown out. That candle signifies the life that was lost to suicide. The candle that remains lit during the entire event represents the survivor whose life has to go on.

During the event, a pre-taped internet broadcast consisting of a panel of five survivors is shown at all event sites across the country. It can also be viewed on the internet for those that couldn't get to an event site. One panelist was from our area and was in attendance at the Stroudsburg event location. Morgan Gable of Easton, lost her son a few years ago to suicide. It is a big struggle to recover and move on after the loss of a loved one by suicide. "An online support group called Parents of Suicide has helped me a lot," Gable says during the panel discussion. Gable was chosen to be on the panel this year because of her feedback on past events. "You can really see the depth of how suicide affects people and in prior years, people didn't seem to really open up on the panel," Gable explains.

Adele O'Brien of Chester, NJ was at the event supporting her daughter as well as receiving support herself. She lost her son three years ago and said, "It is nice to interact with people who have experienced the same pain as I have." Her daughter is Erin Baehr, one of the event organizers. Their family took a big hit when they lost their loved one, just as any family in the same position does.

Barb Lewis of Bethlehem lost her boyfriend over four years ago to suicide so she also understands this unique type of pain. "I went to a grief group right after the suicide but no one else there had similar circumstances so it was hard to connect." Lewis, who is a teacher in NJ also explained, "Suicide prevention in services are mandatory for teachers in the state of NJ now. This went into affect only a year ago." Hopefully, the state of PA will soon be following in those footsteps.

More children are attempting or committing suicide now than just years prior. Andrysiak is the Crisis Intervention Supervisor at PMC and she explains, "I work in the ER and see a lot of infuriating things in regards to children. I see many young kids, even as young as six years old, coming in with a list of medications that they are on." This could be a growing problem since many children are put on antidepressants now a days and these types of drugs can increase suicidal tendencies in children and teens.

Debbie Weidtman of Reeders was in attendance with her 16 year old son, James. Weidtman lost her 18 year old son, Shawn, two years ago when he took his own life. They were there for support as well as in remembrance of their loved one. It was James, who was only 14 years old, that found his brother who hung himself in the backyard. When talking to this teenager who has been through more than his share of grief, it is easy to forget he is only 16.
Weidtman and her son did the overnight, Out of the Darkness walk last year. It is a 20 mile walk through NYC. Weidtman said, "The feeling during the walk was phenomenal. It is important for kids to have awareness and this walk was a great way to get them involved." They had to raise $1700 to do the walk and did so with ease thanks to the community around them as well as the school that James attends. James sold survivor bracelets to classmates to help raise the money. "We plan on doing the walk again in 2008 and look forward to it," Weidtman expressed.

The next Out of the Darkness walk is scheduled for June 7-8 in NYC. There were over 20,000 participants in 2007. Our area is going to try to get a group together to participate in the walk together in 2008. Support and awareness is so important and this is a great way for both of those things. For more information on the walk, go to www.outofthedarkness.org.

I was at the event for my own purpose. My father took his life when I was 18 years old. I still find that some days are filled with sadness and unanswered questions. Support from others that have dealt with the same types of feelings is very comforting. The Survivors of Suicide Day was a great comfort and I met a lot of people that actually know what it feels like to lose a loved one in such a horrible way. I recommend every survivor to seek a meeting or an event such as this and let the bonding help you through a tough time.