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In This Issue:
You Made a Difference at the Breakfast for Hope breakfast
We are so proud to announce this year's Breakfast brought in over $240,000 towards Samaritans' life saving suicide prevention services! Over 500 people joined us at the Sheraton in Boston last Wednesday for the Breakfast for Hope, this year titled "The Difference You Make." It was an emotional yet hopeful event, with speeches from Board Chair Pete Marsh, our Executive Director Steve Mongeau, Miles River Middle School Life Skills teacher Danielle Petrucci, Board Members Lisa Sarno and Vin Capozzi, and a closing speech by Governor Charlie Baker. The audience was also treated to an original song by 2014 Marathon Team member Marcus Goldhaber, who created the song in memory of his friend Wade.
Samaritans 2015 Breakfast for Hope - the difference you make
Samaritans 2015 Breakfast for Hope -
The Difference You Make

The breakfast featured a video testimonial created by our friends at Cole Creative. This year's video featured Danielle Petrucci, along with survivors Brian Douglas and Ray Neves (who you may recognize from our 2015 Boston Marathon Team) and former helpline caller, Kelly Nguyen. Click to watch their discussion on the impact of Samaritans' services in their own lives.


Click here
to see pictures from the event. Learn more about joining the committee, hosting a table or sponsoring next year's Breakfast, contact us
Register for the 5K by May 31st and Save $5! sunday5
11 days left to register for the 5K at a $5 discount! We know you are excited to walk, run, or just enjoy the day at the 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention on September 26th, so there is no need to wait, register today by clicking here

Come by yourself or form a team, everyone is welcome to celebrate with us in Artesani Park, Brighton. Over 3,000 people will be there walking, running, and spending time with others who understand the importance of suicide prevention on our community.  


Suicide prevention is everyone's opportunity to make a difference!
Free One-Day Program for Youth Survivors of Suicide

Open to children and teens who have experienced a significant loss to suicidecamp

Samaritans' Grief Support Services program is excited to announce a new partnership with the MA Department of Public Health and Camp Kita to provide a one-day camp to youth survivors of suicide loss.

 

When a loved one is lost to suicide, families and friends who grieve often find support by being with and talking to others who have been through something similar and are able to understand the profound grief, and sometimes complexities, that come with such a loss. Youth survivors are no different and can also find comfort in being with others who understand and can relate to the experience of navigating this grief. Unfortunately, our experience has been that there are limited specialized resources for youth peer-to-peer support around this complicated and tragic loss. For that reason, this unique partnership camp is being offered on Saturday, June 27, to youth, ages 8 - 17 (18 if still in high school), who have lost a family member or friend to suicide.

 

Established in 2013 by the Mosher siblings, many years after losing their father to suicide, Camp Kita, a tuition-free summer bereavement camp for kids who have suffered a significant loss to suicide, aims to provide a safe environment for young survivors of suicide by giving direction through common interests, activities and grief management. In addition to a unique and beneficial program, this camp will also be held in an extraordinary location - Camp Harbor View in Boston - and provides an ideal setting for the healing and hope this camp has to offer.

 

To register a camper, please email Morgan Mosher. For more information on the partnership camp or volunteer opportunities, contact Emily Britt.

Out and AboutOutandabout

The Community Education & Outreach Program special "gatekeeper" trainings this month, for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Bullying Intervention Specialists Training, and a Gatekeeper Training at the Teen Mental Health, Depression, and Suicide Conference. Gatekeeper trainings focus on professionals who can identify, refer and support members of the communities they work with who may be at risk for suicide. BPS has incorporated Suicide Prevention Training as part fulfilling their state requirement for these staff members in both areas of Bullying Intervention and Suicide Prevention. This was the first year for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Massachusetts Secondary School Administrator's Association (MSSAA) Teen Mental Health Conference. Lauren Gablinske held a 65 minute workshop to teachers, social workers, coaches, school counselors, and more called "Supporting Our Youth" which is on the Best Practices Registry. This training was developed by Samaritans for middle and high school faculty and staff. Participants learn important information about suicide prevention, and are introduced to the concept and skills of befriending. Role-playing and practice modules are included for extended (two- to three-hour) versions of the training. 

 

Suicide prevention training is an essential community need. If your school, company or community organization is interested in arranging a training, contact Lauren.

Surviving a Loved One's Suicide via USN usn
This week, the U.S. News and and World Report published an article by Kirstin Fawcett on the difficulties of losing a loved one to suicide. As many of you know first hand, the death of a loved one to suicide is very different from losing someone to an illness or accident. 

"Suicide adds 'multiple layers' to the grieving process', says David and Norma Walker of Garland, Texas, whose 15-year-old daughter, Sadie, died from suicide last December. 'Any death is going to be hard,' David Walker says. 'But with suicide, you're dealing with many different emotions and experiences.'"

This article features several tips for the newly bereaved, including educate yourself, seek support, and let yourself grieve. Click here to read more from USN, and for frequent updates on suicide in the news, remember to like Samaritans' on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Introducing Patty Patty
Please welcome our newest staff member, Patty Shin!

 

Patty moved from Honolulu to Boston in 2004 to further expand her education and take advantage of the vast career opportunities here in the city. Originally having a background in Fashion Merchandising, she has held different positions in the retail industry, whilst developing a career in management. She has always wanted to be part of a non-profit organization that makes a difference in peoples' lives. Having grown up in a city that is known for it's "aloha" spirit, helping others has always been embedded in her way of life. She is excited to take on the role of Office Manager at Samaritans and is looking forward to interacting with everyone. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, drawing, gardening and experiencing new cuisines. 

Open Positionscareers

Interested in preventing suicide as a Samaritans' staff member? We are currently accepting applications for: