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Suicide Prevention is an outreach we provide through our Education and Advocacy program. While our other programs, Nurture Home, Welcome Baby, and Operation Santa programs remain consistent in our support, we have increased our efforts to prevent suicide and to support those who have lost someone to suicide. We are especially committed to increase our efforts to strengthen young people as an effort to prevent suicide and are exploring a new program,
Sources of Strength, that builds resiliency, empathy, and problem-solving in teenagers.
Just this past week, I've encountered people who have been tragically affected by suicide...two families who lost a loved one to suicide. Unfortunately, suicide does occur in our community. This is why several agency partners and survivors of suicide are collaborating to provide education and to prevent suicide in Aiken County.
The newly-formed Aiken County Coalition for Suicide Prevention is comprised of a group of people committed to developing a preventive and informative response to the tragedy of suicide. Our Mission is to "prevent suicide through community education and collaboration" and our Vision is "to eliminate suicide in Aiken County". We acknowledge that we have set a high goal; however, as a group we assert that suicide is preventable and our task is to provide the education needed to equip individuals to respond to crisis and save a life.
This month's Bella Magazine includes intensely personal stories of survivors of suicide. These stories confirm my belief that the grief of suicide is unique and profoundly complicated. Honor these survivors and their stories by picking up a copy of this month's Bella. I assure you, you will gain a new perspective.
September 8th through 14th is National
Suicide Prevention Week.
Mayor Fred Cavanaugh signed a Proclamation on Thursday, September 5th acknowledging the important work of suicide prevention and support. We are grateful to live in a city with a leader who is committed to strengthening and caring for its citizens.
The more we bravely approach the tragedy of suicide and seek to understand and prevent, the closer we will be to our Vision: eliminating suicide in Aiken County.
Striving to make difference,
Lisa Tindal
Executive Director
MHA Aiken County
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