Bringing light and hope to a very painful subject.

Lemont IL

15 September, 2021

9:56 AM

Description

Perhaps you are fortunate to have never had suicide impact your life, or your family. Many of us have not been untouched by the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. In 2019: Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,500 people.Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.There were nearly two and a half times as many suicides (47,511) in the United States as there were homicides (19,141).There were an estimated 1.38 million attempts My brother in law committed suicide in 2012. That impact as well as the many, many calls to homes here in our community delivering news of a death from suicide, as Lemont Police Chaplain, has lead me to try and do whatever I can to rally support as well as recognize the pain that too many are carrying from having lost a loved one to suicide. I have participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk since 2013 and have locally tried to do something each year to give a platform to those who have loved and loss, and to give support and options to those who are looking for help.This year to bring awareness; to stimulate conversation, and communicate resources for that those who want help to receive it; and to honor those who are left as survivors to a loved one's death; I will be encouraging all who wish to tie orange strips on the Stephen Street bridge from Tues. Sept 14 to Tues. Sept 21st. The owners of Corner Stone Tavern has graciously agreed to offered a table in their restaurant as the place people can come in to write a name on an orange strip (cut from plastic table cloths so waterproof) then securely knot it to the bridge. My visualization is that there would be many strips blowing, to be eye and attention catching bringing awareness not only of those we have loved and lost, but also to the number of people who battle with the storm of depression and mental health battles.There is support information on the table for anyone to take with them to have for resources of help/counseling. If anyone wishes to walk or support AFSP with me in the walk, that information/link is available below. I will personally remove all strips on Tuesday Sept 21st from the bridge at 7:30pm, anyone is welcome to join me. Team #BetheLight in the AFSP walk on Oct. 2nd in Chicago raising awareness and to fund support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, or who battle depression and mental illness. Join Team #BetheLight and walk with us at the AFSP Out of Darkness Walk in Chicagoon Sat. Oct. 2ndhttps://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=266773Orsign up by visiting www.chicagowalk.org then search "#BetheLight"Donate to Team #BetheLight https://supporting.afsp.org/participant/2389246 Help to ...#BetheLightSuicide, Depression, Mental Health struggles, have affected so very many here in our corner of the world. We may not be able to wipe away the storm, but we surely can do our best to not contribute to the darkness by intentionally trying to be support, unconditional compassion, to #BetheLight Stop by Corner Stone Tavern (103 Stephen Street, Lemont) from Sept. 14th-Sept. 21st to add a strip of "light" to our community. (No purchase needed. Corner Stone Tavern owners, Nancy and Terry, simply have generously offered the space to be the home of this outreach.) Write in a name of one who has passed, who battles, or who has conquered; perhaps it is you who has moved through the storm and now can help us help others. Visit the #BetheLight table behind the host stand from 11am-10pm any day (closed on Mondays) to fill in a strip to tie toour Stephen Street bridge. The table behind the host stand will have orange strips and markers for those who would like to add a strip to the downtown Stephen Street bridge (immediately to the north of Corner Stone Tavern). There will also be informational material and free AFSP support items. Again, you do not have to dine at Corner Stone Tavern to participate. They have kindly allowed Hope and Friendship the space to offer this week of support and awareness. If you are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org