Saturday is day of healing for those who have lost a loved one to suicide
OXFORD – Every 15 minutes, a person dies by their own hand in the United States, leaving friends and loved ones to cope with confusion and grief. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention strives to help those who have suffered such a loss find support and solace in one another. This Saturday, the organization will host the 12th annual National Survivors of Suicide Day.
The touchstone of the event will be a broadcast, produced by AFSP, featuring a panel of medical experts and people who have lost loved ones to suicide. The broadcast will be aired at events in more than 275 cities around the world, including right here in Chenango County. It will also be available online at www.afsp.org.
The local observance of the day of healing will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the United Methodist Church, 36 S. Washington Ave. in Oxford. The event, now in its third year, has been organized by Danielle Marshman Williamson.
Williamson knows first hand the pain, confusion and heart-rending loss experienced by those who have lost a loved one to suicide. In 2001, her father took his own life.
“When it happens, you feel so alone, and you don’t know how to deal with it,” she explained.
She says it was at an AFSP program like this one, where she met others who had been through similar tragedies, which helped her finally start to heal. Now, she has become a resource for others dealing with suicide loss.
“When we’re all together, it gives us a sense of community,” she said.
Williamson encourages anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide to attend Saturday’s event for just that reason.
“They need to know that they are not alone,” she explained.
Out of respect and consideration for those who attend, attendance is limited to those who have suffered this type of loss, she added.
Both before and after the broadcast, the survivors of suicide loss will have the opportunity to share with one another in a supportive environment. They will also learn about other resources available both locally and nationally, and discuss re-establishing a monthly support group.
Last year, Williamson participated in AFSP’s 18-mile dusk to dawn walk, The Out of the Darkness Overnight, raising more than $7,000 last year for suicide awareness and prevention in memory of her father, Dan Marshman. She is currently organizing a team for the 2011 walk, to be held June 4 and 5 in New York City. This year, she said, they will walk not only for her dad, but in memory of others who have died by suicide as well, under the banner of Team Chenango.
For information on National Survivors of Suicide Day, contact Williamson at 343-6036 or via e-mail at drmarshman@yahoo.com.
The touchstone of the event will be a broadcast, produced by AFSP, featuring a panel of medical experts and people who have lost loved ones to suicide. The broadcast will be aired at events in more than 275 cities around the world, including right here in Chenango County. It will also be available online at www.afsp.org.
The local observance of the day of healing will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the United Methodist Church, 36 S. Washington Ave. in Oxford. The event, now in its third year, has been organized by Danielle Marshman Williamson.
Williamson knows first hand the pain, confusion and heart-rending loss experienced by those who have lost a loved one to suicide. In 2001, her father took his own life.
“When it happens, you feel so alone, and you don’t know how to deal with it,” she explained.
She says it was at an AFSP program like this one, where she met others who had been through similar tragedies, which helped her finally start to heal. Now, she has become a resource for others dealing with suicide loss.
“When we’re all together, it gives us a sense of community,” she said.
Williamson encourages anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide to attend Saturday’s event for just that reason.
“They need to know that they are not alone,” she explained.
Out of respect and consideration for those who attend, attendance is limited to those who have suffered this type of loss, she added.
Both before and after the broadcast, the survivors of suicide loss will have the opportunity to share with one another in a supportive environment. They will also learn about other resources available both locally and nationally, and discuss re-establishing a monthly support group.
Last year, Williamson participated in AFSP’s 18-mile dusk to dawn walk, The Out of the Darkness Overnight, raising more than $7,000 last year for suicide awareness and prevention in memory of her father, Dan Marshman. She is currently organizing a team for the 2011 walk, to be held June 4 and 5 in New York City. This year, she said, they will walk not only for her dad, but in memory of others who have died by suicide as well, under the banner of Team Chenango.
For information on National Survivors of Suicide Day, contact Williamson at 343-6036 or via e-mail at drmarshman@yahoo.com.
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