In This Issue:

Advocacy Day 2016

"Speak up to save lives, Suicide prevention in Massachusetts."


	Rose Cheyette with Representative Denise Provost

This years, Advocacy Day was held on April 6, 2016. This was a day to join fellow advocates as we educated our elected officials about suicide prevention and promoted policies that will save lives and create a culture that's smart about mental health. The plans that day included a full preparation session in the morning at the Wyndham Hotel, followed by scheduled visits with state legislators in the afternoon. Those who attended this day were paired up or added to small groups, to visit with the legislators from their communities.

Many of our Samaritans Staff members had a chance to meet with their state representatives and discuss how important suicide prevention is in our communities.

Support for individuals supporting a family member, friend or significant other who has attempted suicide or has suicidal ideation

This group aims to provide a space for individuals to talk openly with others who are dealing with the complicated emotions following a loved one's suicide attempt or disclosure of suicidal ideation. Our hope is to provide individuals supporting a suicide attempt survivor or a loved one struggling with suicidality an opportunity to join a community of peers who can understand; it is a space to share their personal experiences and to learn healthy coping skills while supporting their loved ones in their daily lives.

This is a closed group. Those interested in participating must complete an intake by phone with one of the group facilitators and commit to attending all six sessions. There is no fee for participation.

WHEN
Every Thursday from 7-8:30pm

April 28, 2016- June 2, 2016

*Please note the change of meeting dates

WHERE
Brigham House

20 Hartford Street

Newton Highlands MA

*Conveniently located near Routes 9 and 128, and Newton Highlands T station on the Riverside Green Line

Contact Debbie DiMasi, Director of Grief Support Services, to begin the intake process ddimasi@samaritanshope.org- 617-536-2460 ext. 5237

Breakfast for Hope: Let's Have a Conversation

Come join us at this year's Breakfast for Hope on May 26th at the Westin Copley Place in Boston! This year's theme is "Suicide: Let's have a conversation" and we would love to see you at this educational and moving event.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh has joined Gov. Charlie Baker and Speaker of the House of Representatives Robert A. DeLeo as an

honorary Co-Chair!

We're very excited for our partnerships with

our generous sponsors. Thanks to the

Kelliher Corbett Group at Morgan Stanley.

Their Premier sponsorship has made a significant contribution to Samaritans.

Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses.

Click here to RSVP as an individual or to host a table.

Out and About

It has been a very busy month here on the prevention side, with nearly every day filled with outreaches, workshops, and fairs all over Boston and Metro West. One highlight from this month was an outreach for caseworkers at a local Boston jail. Inmates at this jail actually have the opportunity to be trained in befriending practices, and those trained offer support to other inmates who are struggling. It was truly inspiring to learn about this program, and to find out just how much inmates utilize the service. Another highlight from the month was participating in Fresh Check Day at Boston University. This event gave students an opportunity to learn about resources available to them both on campus and in the community that can support them in their mental health. A large part of the event was also about encouraging students to make ample time for self-care. Students were very engaged in the activities and events, and were eager to talk about the stresses they face being in college, but also about their successes and how they cope with balancing everything on their plates!

Suicide prevention training is an essential community need. If your school, company or community organization is interested in arranging a training, you can find more information here, or contact Lauren.

Meet our 2016 Boston Marathon Team!

In less than a week, 14 dedicated people will run 26.2 miles for suicide prevention in the Boston Marathon. Some are survivors, running to remember siblings, parents and friends lost to suicide. Others are running to celebrate their success in a personal struggle with depression and bi-polar disorder.

As they run the country's most prestigious marathon on April 18, 22 people will die by suicide in the United States. Another 550 people will attempt to take their own lives. Help the team reach their collective goal of $130,000 to support our life saving services.

Thanks to the John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit, this is the 9th consecutive year that Samaritans will have a team running the 26.2 miles. Meet two members of our outstanding team:

Steven Yearwood: Steven grew up in Westchester, NY and currently resides in Long Beach, California. He is running for Samaritans to raise awareness for suicide prevention and to help break the stigma attached to suicide. He also wants to let other people know of the services that Samaritans provides. He has completed 4 marathons and 6 half marathons to date and is looking forward to his first Boston Marathon. He specializes in real estate and equipment finance and travels often from both the east and west coast. To learn more about Steven or make a donation towards his goal, visit his CrowdRise page.

Veronica Reichardt: Veronica is a 32 year-old Nantucket Island native. She has been bartending for the last fourteen years and graduated from Fitchburg State in 2005. Since 2014, she's run hundreds of miles and this year she's looking forward to running her second Boston Marathon in memory of her brother, Vaughn. She feels privileged and determined to run for such an amazing organization. To learn more about Veronica or make a donation towards her goal, visit her CrowdRise page.

Our amazing Boston Marathon team has raised $116,524 and counting. Join us to cheer them along and celebrate all their hard work! We will be cheering for them at mile 17 - look for Samaritans shirts and signs! For more information, click here. It's not too late to give them a final boost on Crowdrise!

Introducing, Sarah Cahill!

Sarah grew up in Des Moines, IA, where she first developed

an interest in suicide prevention after losing a high school classmate. She attended college in South Carolina, and then spent a year teaching English in France before moving to Boston to attend grad school. After earning a master's degree in marketing communications at Emerson College, Sarah moved to Washington State to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer with the American Red Cross, where she was then hired as a member of the development staff. She missed Boston, so returned to the area and began working in development at the Unitarian Universalist Association. Ready for a new role that makes a difference in the local community, Sarah is excited to serve as the Development Manager at Samaritans. Outside of work, Sarah loves travelling as much as possible, hiking, winning at pub trivia, and reading. She is thrilled to join the team at Samaritans and to use her fundraising experience to support life-saving work in the community.

Upcoming Events

April

Come cheer for the Samaritans' Marathon team on Marathon Monday, April 18, 2016. We will be cheering for them at mile 17 - look for Samaritans shirts and signs! For more information, click here.
Join us at Wellesley College for the 15th annual Millyfest in memory of Molly Thompson '04. The event will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 8am at Keohane Sports Center Upper Practice Field. It will be a funfilled day of frisbee, food and raffles.

May

Come join us for Bianca's 5K run/walk- Saturday May 7, 2016 at The Rail Trail at the Moose Lodge (67 Fitchburg Street, Marlborough, MA 01752). Registration begins at 10am.
Grief Support Services Volunteer Training to be held on May 14, 21, & 22. Contact GriefSupport Service manager Emily Britt for more information.
Mark your calendars for the Breakfast for Hope - Thursday, May 26th, reception begins at 7AM, program at 8AM at The Westin Copley Place, RSVP today.

October

The 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention will be held on October 1, 2016 at Artesani Park in Brighton!; Register by May 31 and save $5.

Open Positions

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