Local Residents Walk to Raise Suicide Awareness
On September 22nd, the AFSP will be hosting an Out of the Dark-ness Community Walk right here in Southeast Michigan, at Kensington Metropark. Ferndale resident Beth Dzierwa, a survivor herself, is hoping that other people around the community will join her in supporting this important and meaningful cause that carries with it plenty of misconceptions. “(There is a) myth that people who attempt suicide are crazy, but the fact is that no, they’re not crazy. They are in pain and probably have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Anyone can attempt suicide.” It’s a subject Beth knows about first hand.
Although suicide is something people are typically uncomfortable talking about, Beth doesn’t shy away from sharing her experiences.
“As a survivor of suicide, I made it my mission to bring the prevention and education to light,” Beth said. “I openly share my story so that others don’t feel alone in their struggle.” So when Beth’s colleague Kelly Miller, the co-chair of the Kensing- ton walk, asked Beth to contribute to the event, Dzierwa was inspired to do more than just donate. She shared her story with Miller, who lost her 13-year-old son Noah last year to suicide, and it became a bonding experience for both of them. Beth joined Kelly’s walk team, Noah’s Angels, named after her son, and together (along with other teammates) they’re more than halfway to their goal of raising $2,000. Miller and Dzierwa are working hard to not only raise money for the event, but also awareness to help prevent further tragedies, like Noah’s, in the future.
Beth believes it starts with education. Often times, people who are considering suicide are suffering silently with mental illness. “At least 90 percent of all people who died by suicide were suffering from a mental illness at the time, most often depression,” Beth points out. “Among people who are depressed, intense emo- tional states such as desperation, hopelessness, anxiety, or rage increase the risk of suicide.” Although people suffering with a mental illness may think things will never get better, Beth knows that with proper treatment, situations can drastically improve. “Mental Illness is treatable,” Beth says enthusiastically, and it starts with basic compassion and understanding from those around you. “You can make a difference. This will affect you whether it’s your loved one, a friend, a co-worker, etc. Throw away the stigma of mental illness,” she said. “Save a life.”
There are plenty of ways to join Dzierwa and Miller in the fight against suicide. You can visit the AFSP website for more information about how to get involved in their community, campus, and overnight walks. You can also use their resources to help educate yourself, and others, about how to approach the situation if you may be worried about someone at risk. Any step you can take, any small contribution you can make to help fight back against what many people are calling an epidemic, has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of many. For more information about how to get involved, visit afsp.org.
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