JAMESTOWN- A local Survivor Day event will be held in Jamestown on Saturday, November 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on 410 N. Main Street in Jamestown. All participants must register prior to the event by visiting: afsp.org/survivor_day/jamestown-new-york/
“St. Luke’s is honored to host the 2017 Suicide Survivor Day and we stand in solidarity with all of those who have lost someone to suicide,” said Reverend Luke Fodor. “It is important not only to bring comfort to those who mourn, but also to actively work to destigmatize mental health issues so that others will not have to suffer in silence.”
The event will feature local resources, peer support, connectedness, healing activities, memorial crafts, meditation, and prayer. Refreshments will also be provided through the WNY Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Patricia Brinkman, Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, says she is a supporter of this event.
“Survivor Day is a way to reinforce that Chautauqua County is a community who cares,” said Brinkman. “Each person can be an inspiration to another, from the sharing of loss to the celebration of life. I hope that the community will show their support by attending the local event in person or by viewing the international event online at www.survivorday.org.”
The local International Survivor Day event has been supported by a local group dedicated to suicide prevention called the Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
“The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention is a group of dedicated professionals and community members that have come together to recognize the call to action for suicide prevention work in Chautauqua County,” said Victoria Patti, Coordinator of the Alliance. “It is so important that we talk about these concerns and don’t brush them aside and hope they go away. ”
“We need to create a community culture in which we feel comfortable in talking about mental health openly and honestly in order to receive the support and resources necessary to work towards wellness. We hope that this partnership with the AFSP serves as a way to reach those we might not have had the opportunity in the past; including others that believe in the cause and would like to contribute to a suicide safer community.”
For those who are unable to attend a Survivor Day event in person, AFSP hosts a Survivor Day program online. If unable to join the live online event, the recorded program will be available on the website afterwards. More information about the online International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event can be found at www.survivorday.org.
To learn more about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, visit www.survivorday.org. For additional information about the local Survivor Day event or to contact The Alliance for additional information, contact Victoria Patti at (716) 753-4519 or pattiv@co.chautauqua.ny.us for further details.