The City of Royal Oak invites our surrounding communities in taking a proactive approach to prevention of a growing epidemic that remains largely silent in most communities: Suicide. To break that silence, the task force, called Royal Oak SAFE (Suicide Awareness is For Everyone), presents an "Evening of Empowerment," on Wednesday, September 25 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Royal Oak Middle School, 709 N. Washington Ave. Designed to help erase the stigma and encourage suicide prevention through dialogue and support, the event is for any resident or guest that wants to create a healthier, safer community. Who: Panelists include survivors, mental health professionals and representatives from the Royal Oak SAFE Task Force including Common Ground, HAVEN, Beaumont Health System, Mind Over Matter, Royal Oak Schools and the City of Royal Oak. Featured speakers include Jeff Edwards, president of the Michigan Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, who lost his 12-year old son, Chase, to suicide in 2003; 15-year old Emily Harris, who survived her brother's suicide and is eager to share her journey; Dr. William S. Miles, Director of Psychiatric Inpatient Services at Beaumont Royal Oak, and others. Royal Oak SAFE member Jack Salter, an iconic community leader and retired 44th District Court probation officer said "This is the most important committee I have participated in. We have been silent on this subject for too long, and far too many of us have suffered the loss of family members, friends or colleagues to suicide." For a complete task force member list and flier, click here. Why:
Salter's statement is backed by statistics. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for all ages, and the third leading cause of death for 12-24 year olds in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is linked to treatable mental illnesses, which one in five people experience at some time in their lives. They also report that adult suicides in Michigan have doubled in recent years and are higher than the national average.
What:Royal Oak SAFE launched in 2013 by unanimous approval of the City Commission and Chief of Police after a spate of suicides at a local gun range. "I could not continue reading the reports of suicide without doing something about it," said City Commissioner Peggy Goodwin, who lost her own father, a World War II Veteran, to suicide in 1968. "I, too, have been silent for too long. After doing my own research and reaching out to Farmington Hills Councilmember Ken Massey, founder of Farmington Hills SAFE, I realized we have an epidemic on our hands. Nothing will be gained if we stay silent," she said. Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue agrees. "As police officers, we are not just about enforcing the law, we are also about supporting the community. I think this is a major step in helping to prevent many tragedies by giving people the courage and the resources to seek help," he said.
