Cheers, Creative Enthusiasts,
Last week my great friend and client, Alivia Tagliaferri promoted her upcoming documentary “Power of One: Preventing Suicide in America.” in my own neighborhood, featuring a panel discussion. I went with some colleagues to help support her on her mission of creating a positive change for those suffering from mental illness and/or depression. She displayed marketing materials that we had worked on together for this event that was held on Tuesday, March 8th at Bus Boys & Poets in Arlington, Virginia.
There was a great turnout of attendees all eager to hear Alivia's message and learn more about the stories of families struggling with the effects of suicide, so that we could all learn how to make a difference in preventing such tragedies. Alivia stresses in her message that it is incredibly important talk about mental health to help reduce the stigma around this sensitive topic. Dealing with suicide means creating a dialogue to connect communities around the nation struggling with the problem. Alivia Tagliaferri urged people to “keep the conversation going.”
Alivia Tagliaferri giving her presentation in support of her upcoming movie “Power Of One", and reducing the stigma around depression and suicide.
I will share with you some of the valuable information that we featured on the “story stations” that we displayed in the reception area to help create a meaningful dialogue:
MYTH
Suicide can’t be prevented. If someone is set on taking their own life, there is nothing that can be done to stop them.
FACT
Suicide is preventable. The vast majority of people contemplating suicide don’t really want to die. They are seeking an end to intense mental and/or physical pain. Most have a mental illness. Interventions can save lives.
~ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Story Stations and marketing materials that we created together on display at the event in Arlington, Virginia.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Over 40,000 Americans died by suicide in 2012.
• An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older – or about 1 in 4 adults – live with a diagnosable mental health disorder.
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults.
• 67% of college students tell a friend they are feeling suicidal before telling anyone else.
• Suicide killed more service members in the U.S. Army than enemy combatants in 2012. The number of military spouses and children dying by suicide is currently unknown and untracked.
• 22 veterans die by suicide every day.
• Middle-aged men and women between the ages of 45 and 59 have the highest suicide rate in the U.S.
• Men who are 75 years or older have the 2nd highest rate of suicide.
• In 2013, the most recent year for which data is available, 494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm behavior.
90% of people who take their own life have
at least one and often more than one treatable mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and/or alcohol and substance abuse.
With better recognition and treatment, many suicides can be prevented.
Panel discussion with Kristy Kaufmann, Earl Granville, and Alivia Tagliaferri.
SUICIDE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS
National Suicide Prevention LifeLine – 1-800-273-TALK
Suicide Prevention Resource Center – www.sprc.org
National Foundation for Suicide Prevention – www.afsp.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness – www.nami.org
If you would like to contribute to help Alivia raise funds to complete her documentary, Power Of One: Preventing Suicide in America, please click here.
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Can I help create your promotional materials for your important, world changing mission or business, or help you with your new website launch, branding, T-shirt or invitation design? I invite you to contact me so that I can offer a free consultation and price quote for any of your design needs. Have an awesome week and happy creating!
To your creative endeavors!
Onward and upward.
Cathy Broadwell
Giant Leaps Creative LLC