Weekly Spark - 4/8/2010

This week’s Spark – April 8th, 2010
Google is responding to an increase in searches relating to “suicide and ways to commit” by posting the 1 800 273 Talk logo and a link. We hope this helps someone that might be thinking of harming themselves. Another article from the Washington Post on Pilots that can now take antidepressants and still fly, this changes a previous ruling that banned antidepressants while pilots were flying because of possible side effects.
Colorado State University is trying to take steps to better understand suicide among students and prevent them. Is this the same University that was trying to change the rules to allow students to carrying concealed guns? While I do not wish to open a “right to bear arms debate,” I believe the minority is trying to do the same thing at Oakland University. After Virginia Tech, the safety of the students should be left up to the Universities and with suicide being the second leading cause of death among 18 to 25 year olds, we do not need to increase access to lethal means.
Returning brigade to get extra PTSD checks, while that sounds good I’m wondering since PTSD does not always surface right away but will appear at internals up to several years after the tragic events and certain triggers can cause flashbacks, but I’m not an expert. I think the continued mentoring of returning soldiers will have to be on-going for some time.
*Please see this Weeks Spark for additional articles and more information*
This past Saturday’s MASP meeting went well even though we went over our time limit. (I’m trying to keep our meetings to 2 hours). We had two new members which we welcomed. We are always looking for new members to help us expand our programs and aid us in our projects. We are looking forward to getting information to Michigan’s funeral directors to help them in understanding how suicide is different than other deaths and how it affects survivors. Maybe we’ll see you at our next meeting, Saturday May 1 in Fenton at O’Malleys, US-23 and Own Road. Lunch at 11:30- 12:30 Meeting starts at 12:30 - 2:30.
Remember Stay safe stay connected
Larry Lewis

Recent newspaper article about MASP

"

The News-Herald: The Voice of Downriver
Published: Wednesday, April 07, 2010
BROWNSTOWN TWP: Police detective to be awarded for talking teen out of suicide
By Jackie Harrison-Martin

BROWNSTOWN TWP. — Members of the Michigan Association for Suicide Prevention do their best to prevent the situations that have everlasting effects on loved ones left behind.

Larry Lewis, president of MASP, read a story in last Wednesday’s editions of The News-Herald Newspapers detailing how Detective Lt. Robert Grant helped prevent a distraught teenager from taking his own life.

Members of the organization were so impressed with how Grant handled the potentially life-ending situation March 25 that they are presenting him with an award.

“We want to recognize him because he makes ‘protect and serve’ a reality,” Lewis said.

Grant is expected to be recognized by the group at the April 19 meeting of the township Board of Trustees. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the municipal complex on Telegraph Road.

Grant was among about 20 police officers who came face to face with an armed 19-year-old South Rockwood man threatening to shoot himself in the head.

Police said the man was distraught over a breakup with his girlfriend. According to a police report, the former girlfriend told police the man made several threats to harm himself, others and “go nuts” on law enforcement officers if he came into contact with them.

Grant and other officers chased the man through the Ramblewood subdivision near Roche and Allen Road for about an hour before the foot pursuit came down to a standoff.

After a tense time negotiating with the man, Grant convinced him not to commit suicide and to put the gun down.

The incident was resolved without any injuries or shots fired.

“This speaks highly of the township’s Police Department,” Lewis said. “This could have turned out a different way.”

Lewis said it appears that, initially, the standoff was going in an unfortunate direction. He said he knows Grant was taking a chance trying to negotiate with a man with a gun to his head.

“He saved a life,” Lewis said. “Actually, he may have saved several lives.”

There was concern at the scene for police, bystanders and the gunman.

With about 20 police officers on the case, Grant said this simply is a reflection of the “great job” every officer at the scene did.

Grant said that for as much pressure as there was at the scene, every officer helped him stay calm and focused as he tried to defuse the situation.

“It helped me save someone,” Grant said.

This is the first non-departmental lifesaving award Grant has received.

He said he considers it an honor to be recognized by a group such as MASP because of the important work its members do every day.

“They do such a fantastic job,” Grant said. “It means a lot to me to receive an award from them.”

The suicide-prevention group started more than 25 years ago. Its mission is to reduce the number of suicides and attempts in the state, to support those left behind and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide.

The following facts were provided by MASP:

More than 33,000 Americans, including 1,000 in Michigan, kill themselves every year.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, especially for youth and the elderly.

Each death by suicide leaves behind an estimated six to 10 survivors, which amounts to as many as 330,000 in the United States (including 10,000 in Michigan) every year.

Surviving family and friends not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but also are at higher risk themselves of attempting suicide and developing other emotional problems.

Most suicidal people desperately want to live, but can’t see alternative solutions to their problems.

Some suicidal individuals show signs of their intentions, but people might not be aware of the significance of those warnings or know how to react to them.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call 1-800-273-8255. It is a 24-hour crisis line and will connect you to someone in your area.

"

A different outcome

April 1, 2010 This week’s blog is a different perspective, All too often suicide tragedies are familiar. This past week was different, while reading Wednesday’s News Herald (local paper) there was a story that turned out with a favorable outcome. I will briefly summarize this story: “Police had a 911 call, from a young woman, about her breakup with a young man, who had a gun and had threaten to end his life and possibly others.” The police started looking for this young man and when they tried to approach him a chase ensued. Several officers cornered him and were yelling for him to put the gun down, instead he put it to his head and dared them to shoot him. When a senior Lt. arrived he quickly assessed the situation and took control. He ordered everyone to calm down, while he focused on the young man. He calmly asked him to put the gun down and ask him what had happened. This exchange went on for a few minutes when it almost turned wrong when another office with an assault rifle showed up. The Lt. regained control and after several more minutes had passed (15in all). He was able to get the young man to put the gun down.
This week of Passover and Easter weekend will be a time to give thanks by the families of those involved and for this Lt. who put his life on the line to save this young man. This young man now has the opportunity for treatment and to live a full and rewarding life.
Stay safe, stay connected
Larry Lewis

MASP-MiSPC Merger

As we prepare to merge our two state-wide organizations for suicide prevention, which we believe will strengthen our efforts in implementing our state plan; we look forward to our silver anniversary of the Michigan Association for Suicide Prevention.

This is remarkable in and of itself. Given Michigan’s economic climate for the past decade for an organization to remain relevant, it must be fulfilling a need to the people of Michigan. MASP has always supported and responded to our survivor community and at the same time reached out to the greater community- at-large, through education and raising awareness about suicide and its prevention. We support the goals and encourage “best practice” programs.

It is now time for MASP to assume its role as state coordinator to assist in the full implementation of our state plan.

Stay safe, stay connected,

Larry Lewis

Silver Anniversary for MASP

I would like to invite all of you to help MASP celebrate our Silver Anniversary. MASP has been around twenty-five years and its mission has evolved to meet the needs of the survivor community and work to reduce the number of suicides and attempts in Michigan. This special event is being hosted by MASP at Don and Judi Davis’s home. Judi is a long standing member of MASP and past-president.

Our association was the first state-wide organization to take on suicide and its impact on families and communities. In 2001, MASP attended a pre-conference in Midland, Michigan that started the Michigan Suicide Coalition. This coalition drafted and started to implement our state suicide prevention plan in 2005. After four years, we are now in the process of merging our two organizations into one. We believe this will focus our efforts to assist in implementation of the plan.

Again, we are excited about the opportunities this New Year and decade presents. MASP is still as relevant today as it was in the beginning in addressing suicide prevention in Michigan.

Stay safe, stay connected

Larry Lewis