ACYC to hold suicide prevention symposium in Mansura Sept. 1

   There have been no highly publicized events to force the community to address the tragedy of suicides, but that act of self-destruction remains a silent killer in our society.

With that in mind, two organizations have scheduled events to raise public awareness, share information and/or raise funds to prevent suicide.

   The Avoyelles Community & Youth Coalition (ACYC) will hold “A Voice for the Voiceless: A Suicide Prevention Symposium” at 9 a.m. on Sept. 1 at the Cochon de Lait Pavilion in Mansura. It will end at noon. Refreshments will be served.

   The program is intended to  raise awareness and enlist others in the battle to prevent suicides. Several speakers will share information on how to recognize “danger signals,” as well as on services available to those who see suicide as an answer to life’s problems and to family and friends struggling with the aftermath of a suicide.

   ACYC is an umbrella group of mental/behavioral health service providers, social services, youth programs and concerned individuals. One of its major efforts is to address the parish’s high suicide rate.

   “We want to prevent suicide,  of course,” Chauncey Hardy said, “but we need to look at things we can do before it get to  that point where we have to provide help to someone who is threatening or has attempted suicide.”

   Hardy, director of Prevention Services with the Central Louisiana Human Services District, is a native of Marksville and has a personal -- as well as professional -- interest in addressing the significant problem of suicide in Avoyelles Parish.

   Coroner Dr. L.J. Mayeux has called suicide an “epidemic” in the parish, which has had one of the highest suicide rates in the state and nation for the past several years.

   So far this year, there have been five suicides in Avoyelles Parish. If the parish has seen its last suicide of 2016, it would end the year with a 12.5 rate per 100,000 population. That compares to a recent year’s annual suicide rates of 13.4 for the nation and 14.6 for Louisiana.

   The disturbing news is there are still four months left in the year -- and Avoyelles has had a rate of over 20.0 for the past several years. In Avoyelles, it would take eight suicides to record another 20.0 rate. Mayeux said that even though there were 14 suicides in Avoyelles in 2015 -- a per-capita rate of 35.0 -- he was encouraged by the large number of people seeking information and help to prevent suicide. 

    He said that probably means the public awareness campaign over the past three years prevented several more needless deaths.

   Hardy said the intent of the symposium is “to make the community aware that suicide happens and that it is preventable. This event will also provide tools that people need that can help people who are experiencing suicidal tendencies or thoughts.”

    September is national Suicide Prevention Month. ACYC had planned to have an awareness event this past September, but two suicides -- including a highly publicized suicide of a high school student -- led the group to cancel the event out of consideration for the families involved.

    This event will be similar to one ACYC held two years ago.

   Although special speakers will provide needed information, event organizers hope those attending will be active participants.

  Those expected to participate include officials from state agencies and private companies providing services to those in need of preventive services and to the families struggling with the aftermath of suicide. There will be at least one address from a suicide attempt survivor, who will be able to provide firsthand information on what leads an individual to take his own life.

   Hardy said youth programs, church-based organizations and others are also welcome to set up informational tables at the Pavilion.

   The public is invited and encouraged to attend the Sept. 1 event. Hardy said ACYC may hold a follow-up event later this year or early next year.

 

    Another organization, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will hold a fundraiser, entitled “Out of the Darkness: Walk to Fight Suicide,”  from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 8. The three-mile walk will start and end at the Courthouse in Marksville. The downtown route will have water stations set up for the event.

    Event coordinator Angela Dixon said AFSP  is seeking registrations for the walk and donations.

   “It is free to walk, but sponsors and donations are greatly needed for this cause,” Dixon said. “All monies will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss.”

   Dixon said those interested in registering or donating can Google “Marksville Out of the Darkness walk”  and click on ”register now” or “donate to this event.” They can also call Dixon and her husband Andy at (337) 288-0973 or event organizer Jackie Bordelon at 419-0620. 

   Online registration closes at noon Oct. 7, but those wishing to participate can register in person from 8 a.m. until the walk begins at 9 a.m. Walk donations will be accepted until Dec. 31. The local event has already attracted more than 50 registrants and over $2,700 in donations. 

   AFSP reports suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 15 and 64. It is the nation’s 10th leading cause of death overall. In the U.S., someone dies by suicide every 12.3 minutes -- about 117 Americans per day.

    “Suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined,” the AFSP notes.