News
Candle Light Vigil Held For World Suicide Prevention Day
By: WOUB Staff Writer
Posted on:
A suicide prevention and candlelight vigil took place Wednesday night at College Gate for World Suicide Prevention Day.
This is the second year the candlelight vigil has been held at Ohio University.
Michael Craven, President of Bobcats for Suicide Prevention Campain, believes events like the candlelight vigil are vital to help break the silence about suicide.
"We do a lot of events that kind of create a sense of community among the Bobcat family, which is huge to not feel like you are alone, to feel like there are people that care about you," Craven said.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 39,518 suicides were reported in 2012, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. In that year, someone in the U.S. lost his or her life to suicide every thirteen minutes. Ohio ranks 35th in the nation in its rates of suicide deaths.
Steve Knofts, Manager of Safety and Secruity at Ohio Health O'Bleness Hospital, told his story about losing friends and co-workers to suicide.
"I think people sharing and knowing that other people have had losses is a good thing," Knofts said.
The event was sponsored by the Athens Suicide Prevention Coalition and Bobcats for Suicide Prevention Campaign.