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.

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.

Dear Members of the Missouri House Budget Committee:

I am a state certified compulsive gambling counselor, the Vice President of Telephonic Services and Program Manager of Missouri's problem gambling helpline,  888-BETS-OFF.  I am a lifelong resident of Missouri, and proud to be a participating member of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling.  As Program Manager of the Missouri helpline, I am extremely dismayed and fearful to hear of your plans to eliminate funding for problem gambling treatment.

An article in today’s Wall Street Journal. “A Virtual Matchmaker for Volunteers” boasts that 60.8 million Americans donated 8.1 billion hours of volunteer service in 2007. Unfortunately, it also reports that volunteers are more fickle, have less time, and don’t want to make a long term commitment.