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Coming together as one
The Sikeston community came together Thursday night to remember those who died by suicide, to offer support to friends and family who lost a loved one and for those battling depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
Bootheel Counseling Services put on a suicide prevention and remembrance walk Thursday night at the Sikeston Recreation Complex in recognition of September being Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.
“I don’t think anyone wants to be here for the reason that we’re here but we’re here to support each other,” said David Terrell, executive director of Bootheel Counseling Services.
The track around the Complex Lake was lined with supportive signs, relaying things like “There is hope” and “Healing is real.”
“Walking around the track, seeing the encouraging words the staff has put on the track, it just makes you smile,” Terrell said. “It makes you appreciate life to hear someone say ‘hey, you matter. You’re awesome.’ Every now and then offer that up.”
Sikeston City Councilwoman Onethia Williams read a proclamation from the City of Sikeston making September Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and during the event individuals held up signs with testimony as they were read to others in attendance.
There was also a long chain of paper links that stretched around a portion of the Lake. Most had positive sayings on them, bible verses or pictures. Those in attendance had the opportunity to add to the chain.
“The purpose and the linking together is that we know we are stronger with all of us here,” said Jennifer Hartlein, director of fund development and public relations. “One voice is great. Ten is even better. Twenty, 50, 100 it does make a difference and it will make a difference to the community and lives will be saved.”
Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in Missouri, being slightly higher in rural areas than urban areas. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 308 suicides between 2001 and 2019, just in Bootheel Counseling Services four county (Scott, Mississippi, Stoddard and New Madrid) region.
“You never know what your neighbor’s going through,” Terrell said. “You never know what the person in line at Walmart is going through.”
Bootheel Counseling Services averages about 900 new crisis intervention clients per year through their crisis department. Those are staff that are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Terrell said there are several things that could be done, including education and awareness and identifying and supporting people that are at risk and seeking and obtaining treatment for those at risk of suicide while seeking follow-up treatment to prevent reattempts.
“We are not coming together today just to talk about suicide,” Terrell said. “We are coming together to make a difference and to honor the memory of those that we have lost. Nobody goes without being affected by it.”
Those who are contemplating suicide or need help can call 988 for help.
