Friends and family of suicide victims share memories of their loved ones, the grief they feel and thoughts about suicide prevention in a recently released film called “Survivors, The Ones Left Behind.”
The film highlights members of Heartbeat of Durango, a peer-support group for those grieving the suicide of a loved one. The local chapter of Heartbeat was founded in 2013 in partnership with Southern Ute Community Action Programs.
“It’s the place where they can safely share their loss with people that understand,” said support group facilitator Janna Schaefer.
Durango-based photojournalist and filmmaker Susannah Kay produced the film, released online, to give those who have lost loved ones a voice, she said.
“I was so inspired by these individuals’ willingness to go deep and be vulnerable, especially considering that our culture has created a stigma around suicide,” she said. “What hit me the hardest was in my search for people to interview, I had to say ‘no’ to some because I couldn’t fit everyone in.”
The film, produced over 90 days, features the stories and experiences of nine people, including Lynn Dearey, who survived a suicide attempt on her own life.
Heartbeat member Mark Reddy spoke about the death of his brother. He said participating in the documentary was therapeutic. He hopes it will spark conversations about suicide and suicide prevention.
“Suicide is probably the most preventable death, but it requires awareness,” he said.
Reddy is also involved in San Juan Basin Public Health’s suicide-prevention groups focused on training people to prevent suicide and responding to suicides in the community to make sure residents receive the support they need.
In 2017, 19 people died by suicide in La Plata County. While, suicide rates in the county are alarming, Reddy believes the problem can be addressed.
“I think we can make progress, that we can reverse the tide,” he said.
To view the video and find more information about suicide grief support visit www.heartbeatofdurango.com.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
Suicide resources
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering killing himself can be found from these sources:
Axis Health System:
24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
(800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741.
RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio:
(888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text Hotline:
741741
Fort Lewis College Counseling Center:
247-7212.
Boys Town Hotline:
(800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado:
(877) 542-7233 or online at
.
Colorado Crisis Support Line:
(844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at
http://www.coloradocrisisservices.org/
to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis, 24 hours a day.
Trevor Project:
(866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
Southern Ute Community ACtion Program:
Visit
and click on Suicide Prevention for a list of trained gatekeepers.
Second Wind Fund:
(720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
Survivors Support Group:
Heartbeat of Durango meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. Contact Janna for information at (970) 749-1673.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
Colorado chapter information available at
https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
For Men:
A website for adult men contemplating suicide, who often are unwilling to seek help, is available at
.
