James William Alverson (Doran) was a cherished Life Crisis volunteer.  For 9 years, Mr. Alverson dedicated his time and energy to help hotline callers work through a crisis...he volunteered to save lives.

Nine years ago, I learned, firsthand, of the devastation left behind by a loss to suicide with the death of my 23 year old son.  I wondered how I could be called a “survivor of suicide” when I was sure I would not survive.   I also felt the stigma of suicide in the reactions of co-workers, neighbors and my church.  I felt so isolated at a time when support was so desperately needed.

Fortunately, for me, I had the availability of Life Crisis Services survivors of suicide support group.  Through attendance at weekly meetings, I was able to acquire the tools needed to not only rebuild my shattered soul, but also to find new meaning and purpose in my life.  Now, I frequently get calls from other survivors who do not have access to support groups, and it breaks my heart.  I know that it is almost impossible to reconcile such a loss without ongoing support specific to a loss to suicide.

On November 1, 2009, I will be walking with hundreds of other survivors, caregivers and supporters in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).  This Walk will raise funds to bring a chapter of the AFSP to the Saint Louis area.  Funds raised through the Community Walks also allow AFSP to invest in research that will advance the understanding of the causes of suicide and its prevention and expand survivor outreach programs.  By walking in unison, we will also be raising awareness and reducing the stigma of suicide.

The Walk will take place from 11:00-1:00 in Creve Coeur Park at the Tremayne Pavilion.  Life Crisis Services has a team in the Walk.  Please consider showing your support by joining our team or making a donation to a team member.  You can access information, register or make a donation by going to www.outofthedarkness.org and follow the links.

H.R. 2906: the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2009 (CPG) would provide the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration with authority to coordinate Federal action regarding problem and pathological gambling. 

I had the privilege of being invited to speak briefly at a candle light vigil for victims of domestic violence last Wednesday night in Belleville, IL.  This was the fifth annual vigil, the first was held in 2005 after the community had been rocked by a string of bloody domestic homicides.  One of the presenters last night was a woman whose sister and infant nephew, along with two others, had been killed the very night of the second Vigil in 2006 by the woman’s boyfriend.

Last week, in the parking lot of a local fast food restaurant, I watched as two adults hurled obscenities and threats at one another. In broad daylight, over the hood of a running engine, a couple fought violently.
I surmised from the very loud shouting that the couple was in the process of exchanging physical custody of their son.
The man shoved and threatened the woman, "Don't you ever be late with my son again. I'll take him and you won't ever see him again."
The woman screamed back, "You can't never take my son from me... I'll kill you."
Many more words were exchanged, but none appropriate to write. However, the shouting and pushing were perhaps the least disturbing aspects of the whole event.
As I watched, trying to figure out what I could do, I noticed a small boy, no older than 2, standing confused, 10 feet from the car in the middle of the parking lot! The parents were so engrossed in yelling at one another they completely ignored the safety and wellbeing of their child.
I found it un-amusingly ironic that the very child the parents were arguing so desperately over was left defenseless in the path of oncoming cars.
Unfortunately, exchanges such as the one described above happen throughout our communities, at fast food restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. When feuding parents meet to exchange custody of children, the children are often placed in high stress, dangerous environments.
Provident's Heritage House offers a safe, neutral alternative to gas stations and fast food parking lots. Heritage House, staffed by trained social workers and off duty police officers, is a supervised location where parents, through a court order, can exchange physical custody of their children.
Most importantly, Heritage House creates a safe exchange environment allowing children to maintain healthy relationships with both parents.
With the services offered through Heritage House, scenes as the one described above need never happen again.

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day.  Hmmmm.  Doesn't exactly call for a celebration, does it?  It might, I think, if it gave us all occasion to consider:  Suicide is the leading cause of death worldwide.  Worldwide, one million people die by suicide every year--about one every two minutes.  That's staggering to me.  Many millions more make suicide attempts every year, and millions more are left behind by suicide.  We cannot begin to count the costs.  But think about how little most of us know about suicide.  What causes it?  Warning signs? What makes a person at risk?  How would you know if someone was thinking about suicide?  If someone were, what can be done about it? 

Here's the thing:  Suicide is Preventable.  And the other thing? It's time to talk about it.

Okay, so what do I want from you?  One of the most important keys to preventing suicide is education.  Find out.  Ask your faith community, school, employer, or social group to host a speaker on suicide awareness.  Check out training opportunities, like ASIST or SafeTalk and sign up.  Volunteer somewhere, anywhere--helping others through tough times can prevent a suicide down the road.  Call someone you know who has lost someone to suicide and tell them you're thinking of them--no matter how long it's been.  Write down these phone numbers:  314-647-HELP or 800-273 TALK and give them to someone you now who is struggling.  You could save a life.

I was given pause today, which all by itself says something—things seem very hectic these days, and multitasking the order of my day—when I opened an envelope containing a donation to Provident’s Life Crisis Services Hotline. The envelope contained a number of checks from members of a book club, honoring the memory of a member’s daughter who has died by suicide.

As I learned of the deaths by suicide of two eleven year young boys within a week of one another, I nearly fell to my knees, realizing that this could be the fate of my son in a few years.  I could not imagine having this shining, sensitive spirit (who can also be a pipsqueak) that I have nurtured since birth four years ago, decide that the pain of living is too great to live another day.  I cannot imagine sending him to a school that does not protect him and foster his unique talents that are to be his contributions to the world.  I am appalled by the silence of teachers and school administrators that feeds bullying and a disregard for diversity when children are taunted for the perception that they may be gay.

We live in a society that does not embrace diversity, especially during elementary and high school.  From my experience with the Rainbow Youth Hotline and interaction with high school students during Gay Straight Alliance conferences, the majority of teachers and school personnel turn a deaf ear when children are taunted for their perceived sexual orientation.  Though, unfortunately, I'm sure racial, ethnic, and religious slurs may still be heard by students in school settings, I believe they would be quick to be addressed when overheard by school personnel.  However, we live in the middle of a civil rights movement for persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning their sexuality.  The suicide rate for GLBTQ youth is three times the national average, the number one cause of death for GLBTQ youth.

Please, be a voice for those whose shining spirits are being extinguished.

MRN www.morecovery.org today urged members to contact their State Senators and express opposition to the recently passed Missouri House Bill 30,  now sent to the Senate for consideration.  HB30 requires the Dept. of Social Services to develop a program to test applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families when a caseworker believes the person is engaged in illegal drug use.  Further, HB30 specifies that a person who tests positive for an illegal drug will be declared ineligible for TANF benefits for one year beginning on the date of the required administrative review hearing.  The person who tests positive will be referred to a treatment program approved by Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

In 2008, Provident served almost 600 children in the 63115 and 63147 zip codes, one of the most violent crime ridden communities in the City of St. Louis and non of them were charged with a crime last year. The youth ages 6-21 years of age were involved in a wide range of neighborhood based programs that include: after school programs at the Shreve Neighborhood Center, Ashland Elementary, Herzog Elementary, a program for youth that dropped out of high school called Transitions to Work for Youth and a community development program call the Self-Reliant Communities Initiative.