Several community partners gathered for the 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk at Waterworks Park on Sept. 19. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Suicide can be a silent killer. Sometimes, people hide their suffering until it reaches a crisis point. Sometimes, their suffering is visible, but those around them don’t know how to help. On Sept. 19, the Ottawa County Prevention Coalition hosted the 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk at Waterworks Park to spread the word that resources are available for people who are suffering and for the people who want to help them.

The event included a moment of remembrance, a solidarity walk, a Silent Watch event hosted by Ottawa County Veteran Services, and resource tables from local organizations. As the event spread the message of hope and support, it tackled the stigma of talking about suicide.

“People don’t want to talk about suicide, but it’s still happening,” said Marisha Everett, whose family formed the suicide awareness organization, The Do It For Dylan Project, after her son, Dylan Everett, completed suicide in March, 2022. “It’s not where we want to be, but it’s where we are.”

Ottawa County Veterans Services held a Silent Watch to promote veteran suicide. Veterans Services Commissioner Ron Distel said the office attended the event to let veterans know there are resources and people to help in time of crisis. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Dylan’s sister-in-law, Sarah Everett, said people are sometimes hesitant to broach the subject of suicide with someone who is suffering because they fear they will worsen the situation.

“You won’t put the idea in someone’s mind by talking about it,” she said. “Saying the words is important. Ask them, ‘Are you thinking of hurting yourself?’”

Marsie McLaury and her daughter, Jesse Cook, attended the event in honor of an elderly family member who completed suicide this year. The family’s pain has been worsened by the fact that there were no warning signs.

“It’s not always the person you see struggling,” McLaury said. “It blindsided us. We didn’t see it coming. When the families don’t know they are struggling, they don’t know to help.”

D.J. Everett and his mother, Marisha Everett, shared connection and resources with people impacted by suicide at the Suicide Awareness Walk. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Michelle Veliz is the Supervisor of Health Education and Community Engagement at the Ottawa County Health Department. She said the majority of suicides in Ottawa County are completed by older adults, age 65 and older. She said older adults sometimes become distraught because of isolation, fear of being a burden, or ongoing health struggles.

“Today is about trying to raise awareness about that, educate people, and let them know where the resources are at in our community,” Veliz said.

Veliz also spoke about destination suicide. People sometimes travel to a place that is peaceful and full of good memories, like Lake Erie, to complete suicide.

“A lot of people return to the area. There’s a nostalgic feeling. The water is peaceful, but sometimes, unfortunately, they will come here in a state of crisis and will complete a suicide,” Veliz said.

The Oak House was one of the many organizations who offered suicide and mental health resources at the Suicide Awareness Walk. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Veliz said the Prevention Coalition encourages people to look for signs of distress and start a conversation. The Prevention Coalition has a program called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) that trains people to handle a mental health crisis.

“You don’t need to be a trained clinician to do so,” she said. “If people are interested, they can contact the Prevention Coalition. You may save a life.”

One of the main purposes of the Suicide Awareness Walk was promoting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that is available 24/7. Veliz encourages people in crisis and people with someone in crisis to call 988, “if you are ever in need of help, any time.”

“You don’t know whose life you might be impacting,” she said.

For more information on local suicide and mental health resources, visit www.ocprevention.com. For more information on the Dylan Everett awareness campaign, visit The Do If For Dylan Project Facebook page.