Suicide Prevention Committee


The Suicide Prevention Committee is a workgroup of the St. Clair County CSCB.

Out of the Darkness Walk

Each fall, the Suicide Prevention Committee sponsors an "Out of the Darkness" walk, which acts as a fundraiser, educational event and support effort.  The walk is held in East China Township Park on the southwest corner of M-29 and Recor Road. 

The 2011 event will be held on Sunday, October 9th.  

  • Registration: 11:00 a.m.
  • Walk begins: 12:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the national website http://www.outofthedarkness.org/  

Did you know?

  • Every 18 minutes someone dies by suicide in the United States.
  • One in six people will think about suicide at some point in their life.
  • In St. Clair County, there is a suicide every two weeks.
  • For every completed suicide, there are at least six survivors left to grieve and question their loss.

  • Because of the stigma associated with suicide, the grief process for survivors of is often lonely and painful.

Background

In 2005, the State of Michigan issued its Suicide Prevention Plan. The state challenged Community Collaborative to examine local suicide data and develop a county-base plan to promote community awareness and reduce the number of suicides.

In St. Clair County, the Community Services Coordinating Body (CSCB) accepted the challenge and established a formal workgroup to work on the issue.

Mission

The charge of the Suicide Prevention Committee is to:

  • Collect local statistic and demographic information surrounding suicides.
  • Conduct a thorough analysis of St. Clair County's resources related to suicide prevention, intervention and support to the survivors when a suicide occurs (post-vention).
  • Use the collected data to make recommendations through a strategic planning process on ways to develop and expand community awareness and suicide prevention activities, increase intervention services, and formalize a support network for survivors of suicide.

Support Group

A Survivors of Suicide Support Group is available for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of each month. For locations and to confirm dates and times, contact Amy Smith at (810) 985-8900 or asmith@scccmh.org .

Speakers' Bureau

If your group is looking for a speaker to talk about suicide prevention, contact Amy Smith at asmith@scccmh.org or call (810) 985-8900.

Memorial Garden

The Suicide Prevention Committee is partnering with East China Township Park to create a Survivors of Suicide Memorial Garden. The garden will be a beautiful addition to the park, and will serve as a place of inspiration and reflection for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. To donate, contact Amy Smith at (810) 985-8900 or asmith@scccmh.org . 

Lending Library 

The Suicide Prevention Committee maintains a lending library, contained within the public library and resource room at St. Clair County Community Mental Health, 3111 Electric Avenue, Port Huron, MI 48060.  Stop in during regular business hours to borrow a book. To donate money and a book to the lending library, contact Amy Smith at asmith@scccmh.org or (810) 985-8900.