CHS LifeSavers host successful suicide prevention candlelight vigil

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Chester High School LifeSavers group joined fellow suicide prevention groups from around the world Thursday September 10 at 8 p.m. in hosting a suicide awareness-prevention candlelight vigil.

Monday through Sunday September 7-13 was National Suicide Prevention Week across America and Thursday evening September 10 at 8 p.m. suicide prevention organizations around the world help candlelight vigils to create suicide prevention awareness. Approximately 50 people, including 12 LifeSavers, four LifeSavers recruits and four LifeSavers Advisors, attended the Chester event held at the Chester Gazebo.

The vigil began at 8 p.m. with a welcome by CHS LifeSavers Sponsor, Dr. Jim Beers. Carlo Marconi, CHS senior, then talked about the CHS LifeSavers and gave a description of what LifeSavers do to help students at CHS.

Marconi noted that LifeSavers is a peer crisis, suicide prevention group at CHS in which students are trained to be good listeners and good observers to spot fellow students who might be having troubles which could lead to serious issues or even suicide.

"LifeSavers listen to troubled students and help them to make appropriate choices regarding their problems and to seek help from a school advisor or even a professional when things get to be too difficult to handle themselves," stated Marconi.

Daysha Westerman, another CHS senor LifeSaver, then spoke to the audience about the extent of the existing problem pertaining to suicide in the United States. She noted that in the U.S. alone approximately 33,000 people die each year by suicide. Homicide only claims about 17,000 lives.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 18-23 and seems to be the fastest growing cause of death for older men. Westerman then stated that throughout the world, one person commits suicide every two minutes.

Senior Jamey Watkins, CHS LifeSavers President, then spoke to the crowd stating that most people do not really understand about suicide. "There is often much confusion and guilt associated to the loss of a friend or loved one," noted Watkins, "It takes monumental strength for most people to carry on." Watkins then read an inspirational poem titled, "Strengths" to emphasize her point.

Before introducing the next guest speaker Dr. Beers commented that a common quote utilized by many suicide prevention professionals is, "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

He stated that prevention experts attempt to make others aware of the fact that help is available and that suicide is not the answer, especially when most problems are only temporary. "If suicide is the choice used to deal with a problem or issue, there is no turning back," noted Beers.

That thought was a segway to introduce the next speaker, Gwendy Garner, who is the Public Relations Director at Memorial Hospital in Chester. Garner helped to educate those in attendance about the resources available at Memorial Hospital which can help reduce stress and strife in troubled times.

Garner encouraged utilization of the Emergency Room for extreme crisis and also talked about the Cancer Support Group, the Diabetic Support Group, the Healthy Lifestyles Group, the Women's Group for Stress/Life Issues and the Grief Support Group for Men and Women. In addition Garner mentioned that there are several professional counseling options available throughout Chester and the surrounding area.

Chad Koenegstein was the next speaker. Chad is a senior at CHS and told the audience that no matter how old a person is or how long it has been since being affected by suicide, help and support is always recommended and available.

He mentioned a grief support group held the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Unitarian Fellowship Building in Carbondale. He further mentioned that flyers and other information are readily available. He also noted that grieving people always have a friend, even if they have to ask or seek help from suicide prevention groups such as LifeSavers or community groups. He then read the poem, "Friends."

Next on the program was Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director, who sang the song, "You'll Never Walk Alone." His selection was most appropriate to the occasion in emphasizing the theme that help is always available. Colonel was accompanied on the keyboard by Vicky Beers.

Following this very moving song, Laura Liefer, CHS LifeSaver Vice President, discussed several things that people can do if confronted with a suicidal person. Liefer noted that suicidal people should never be left alone and that professional help should always be sought. Helpers should e available and listen to the distressed person and let to them know you are there to offer a shoulder to lean on in times of trouble. Simply listening can often prevent senseless tragedy.

Further hints to offer help to a suicidal person include, remaining calm and asking directly if the person is thinking about suicide. "Focus concern on the person's well being and avoid being accusatory. Listen. Reassure the person that there is help available and that he or she will not always feel this way. Do not judge. Provide constant supervision. Remove means of doing self harm and get help! Finally, never agree to keep a person's suicidal thoughts a secret", said Liefer.

Cedric William, a sophomore LifeSaver, was the final LifeSaver speaker. Williams noted that tonight the group was gathering to honor and memorialize those who had either committed suicide or attempted suicide. He then read the poem, "Heart of Grief" to assist those who were possible having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one, a family member or friend by suicide.

The event concluded with the actual lighting of the candles led by Rev. Gary Mosimann, Interim Pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Chester. Mosimann gave a brief devotional and supervised the candle lighting ceremony. He closed with a prayer and asked everyone to raise their candles high and shout, "To life."

Dr. Beers noted that he and the LifeSavers were very pleased with the turnout especially with the last minute notice that they gave to the community. "Next year we hope to host the 2nd Annual World-Wide Suicide Prevention Candlelight Vigil and get even more churches and community organizations involved", said Beers.

"For a first time event here in Chester, however, we are very happy and hope that we were able to effectively spread suicide prevention awareness and reach those in need of comfort and guidance. I am extremely proud of our CHS LifeSavers for doing such a great job or organizing and conducting the vigil and am thankful for the support of the First United Methodist Church for their logistical support," stated Beers.