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RI Samaritans to host forum tonight to explore coping with suicidal thoughts
Hillary Brady
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News
02/10/10 - Suicide, a taboo topic for many, has been an issue carefully avoided for social conversation. However, according to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide has become the second leading cause of death for college-aged students. Statistically, one in four people will experience depression by the time they reach the age of 24.
The Samaritans of Rhode Island, the state's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to suicide prevention and survivor support, is out to change this stigma. The group will be offering support to the URI campus through a forum to be held tonight at 6:30 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. The program is free to the public and will focus on surviving and coping with the loss of a loved one by suicide.
Leading the program is John LaCross, Barrington's police cheif. He will be discussing his own experience, reflecting on the loss of his brother who committed suicide during his senior year of college in 1979.
"Still, even on his anniversary, I am very emotional," LaCross said. "It's very tough for me to talk to my parents and brothers and stuff because it brings back that pain."
This is where the camaraderie of the forum provides support for suicide survivors.
"[Survivors] have a lot of self-doubt and there is a lot of guilt involved," Denise Panichas, interim executive director of The Samaritans, said. "If anyone has lost a loved one to suicide, they are welcome to be among those who understand."
According to LaCross, being among people in similar situations helps individuals cope with the loss of their loved ones, and the extreme emotions this brings.
With the rates of suicide and depression on the rise, it is likely that many University of Rhode Island students are dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide - or who have friends or loved ones dealing with a loss from suicide. This, combined with the unwillingness to approach such a sensitive issue, leaves many loved ones unable to express their feelings about their grief.
The Samaritans of Rhode Island, the state's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to suicide prevention and survivor support, is out to change this stigma. The group will be offering support to the URI campus through a forum to be held tonight at 6:30 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. The program is free to the public and will focus on surviving and coping with the loss of a loved one by suicide.
Leading the program is John LaCross, Barrington's police cheif. He will be discussing his own experience, reflecting on the loss of his brother who committed suicide during his senior year of college in 1979.
"Still, even on his anniversary, I am very emotional," LaCross said. "It's very tough for me to talk to my parents and brothers and stuff because it brings back that pain."
This is where the camaraderie of the forum provides support for suicide survivors.
"[Survivors] have a lot of self-doubt and there is a lot of guilt involved," Denise Panichas, interim executive director of The Samaritans, said. "If anyone has lost a loved one to suicide, they are welcome to be among those who understand."
According to LaCross, being among people in similar situations helps individuals cope with the loss of their loved ones, and the extreme emotions this brings.
With the rates of suicide and depression on the rise, it is likely that many University of Rhode Island students are dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide - or who have friends or loved ones dealing with a loss from suicide. This, combined with the unwillingness to approach such a sensitive issue, leaves many loved ones unable to express their feelings about their grief.
