Annual event in Southern Utah shines light on suicide prevention, ignites hope during holiday season

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors an International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day, November 2022| Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE —On the Saturday preceding Thanksgiving, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors an International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day for people around the country. Teresa Willie, a prevention specialist for Washington County, helped organize this event for Southern Utah. 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors an International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day in Washington County, November 2022 | Stock Photo, St. George News

Willie said it is a day of hope, healing and connecting with others who share similar experiences.

This year’s Survivor of Suicide Loss Day took place at the Washington City Library, where survivors of suicide loss gathered to remember loved ones. This event helps people “to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience,” according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website.

The day is centered around bringing people together and even helps attendees find local support groups. A table of memories was set up so the participants could have the opportunity to display pictures of loved ones that they had lost from suicide. 

And this day is of special importance for Utahns, as according to the Utah Public Health Indicator Based Information System, in 2020, suicide was the leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10-24 and the second leading cause of death for ages 24-44.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also holds an annual “Out of Darkness Walk Day” in September. In the past, the walk has taken place at the Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park in Washington. 

Besides these events, Southern Utah has plenty of other ways for the public to get involved and educated about suicide prevention and awareness throughout the holiday season. 

A T-shirt for the Live On Utah suicide prevention campaign, launched during a public event at the Southwest Behavioral Health Center, St. George, Utah, May 11, 2022 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

Willie said that Utah has been very proactive in providing good resources for the prevention and awareness of suicide. Some of the places to find help with suicide prevention are online at Live On or Reach4Hope.

In regards to Utah’s Live On campaign, Willie said, “No one has anything like this around in the world.” 

The Live On campaign promotes education and changing the culture around mental health and suicide. Their website provides resources that help people connect to local support groups, learn more about suicide prevention and get help for themselves or loved ones. 

Live On has multiple courses that are available to the public, which can be accessed on their website and range anywhere from one hour to eight hours in length.  

Another resource is reach4hopeutah.org. This website has resources about prevention services specifically geared towards southern Utah. It allows people to sign up for free classes that instruct in suicide prevention training as well as mental health training. 

Willie also helps instruct QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training programs throughout the area. These training programs are for anyone who is “strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide,” according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah. That can be anyone from a neighbor to a friend or a teacher.

The training is free and can be taught anywhere as long as there are at least five people willing to participate. Sign up for one of these training sessions through Southwest Behavioral Health Center.

More information about suicide prevention and education in Southern Utah can be found online.

Resources

If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, call 911 immediately. Suicide is an emergency that requires help by trained medical professionals and should always be treated seriously.

Nationwide suicide hotlines, 988, 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (8255), have counselors available 24/7. The Southwest Behavioral Health Center also offers help for Southern Utah residents; call 800-574-6763 or 435-634-5600.

Other resources include Suicide.org, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the American Association of Suicidology. All provide comprehensive information and help on the issue of suicide, from prevention to treatment to coping with loss.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!