MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Billy Kenoi has proclaimed Sept. 5-11 as Suicide Prevention Week.

As a member of the Suicide Prevention Task Force, Hawaii Family Guidance Center mental health supervisor Charmaine Alameda knows that a suicidal death is most difficult for family, friends and loved ones to comprehend.

Often, red flags of depression and / or mental illness will appear and other times suicide seems to strike from out of nowhere. Regardless of the motivation behind it, suicide is devastating for everyone involved. For those who are contemplating such an act and those who are left behind, it is important to know that there are numerous community resources available.

The Suicide Prevention Task Force includes members of the County of Hawaii-Prosecutors Office, Office of Aging, Dept. of Health, Dept. of Education, Community Mental Health, Hospice, Veterans Affairs, Veteran’s Center, Hawaii Police Department, Child Welfare Services, Hilo Medical Center and numerous other private providers.

“The task force members all have committed themselves to preventing suicides in our community. We recently trained nine folks to be Safe Talk trainers on the Big Island. We also encourage folks on the Big Island to do the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) training that is held periodically throughout the year,” Alameda said.

Various events will take place in Hilo and statewide.

* In Hilo, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 — depression screening at the UHH Campus Center administered by Anne Sturgis, Emily Malate, Sandra Takamine and Diane Robinson.
* On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 4-5 p.m. sign waving will take place at the following sites: HOPACO in Hilo, in front of the Federal Bldg. on Waianuenue Ave., at the new Pahoa Fire Station, on the corner at Kalanianaole and Kanoelehua in Hilo and in Ka’u (TBA) and along Hamakua (TBA). Signs were designed by a group of students from Russell Cummins Kea’au High School class and Waiakea High School Key Club members.

For online registration for suicide intervention workshops go to http://hawaii.gov/health under Health Events. Or call 933-0607.