Suicide Prevention: Cobb Woman Says She's Walking In 'Purpose'

SMYRNA, GA — One Smyrna woman is not only on a journey of healing, but she's also on a mission to spread awareness about suicide prevention. Chelsea Piatt, 31, lost her father at the age of nine, and refers to her work as purpose. Today, she’s an active member on the junior board with the Georgia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The chapter is planning its annual spring fundraiser, “Party for Prevention.”

To reach the $25,000 goal that’s been set this year, the foundation is selling tickets for the fundraiser. The public event will be held from 7 - 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 13th. There will be live music, food, beer from Eventide and a silent auction. All Proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Early bird tickets are $45 and end May 13. People can purchase them through the foundation’s website. Donations are also welcome.

Piatt said the funds will go toward the chapter’s educational programs, scientific research and public policy advocacy.

“Aside from raising funds to help with these resources, we really want to bring awareness,” she said. “We’ve had a great turn out for the last two years and we’re hoping to reach more people.”

She said the spring event might be a less intimidating way for people to get introduced to their work and mission.

“It might be something for them to ease into it like I did, and meet people who’ve experienced the same things that they have,” she said.

Piatt joined the AFSP three years ago to help fight suicide, but said the foundation has also helped her. She attended the non-profit’s annual "Out of the Darkness Walk" and said she loved the sense of community the event created in Atlanta for those impacted by suicide.

“Back then, I didn’t really know who to connect with,” she said. “Like you don’t really bring up a suicide in everyday conversation with people, but I’ve met so many connections through AFSP.”

Coping with a loved one dying by suicide is a one day at a time process that not everyone understands, Piatt said.

“I still have sad days, but I feel like the work I’m doing through AFSP is helping a lot,” she said. “I do it in honor of my father. Maybe by doing this I can help someone else who is struggling in the same way he was.”

According to most recent data collected by AFSP, in the state of Georgia one person dies by suicide every six hours, on average. Nearly four times as many people died by suicide in Georgia in 2017 than in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents. It’s the tenth leading cause of death in the state for ages 55 to 64.

“Suicide is preventable and I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I went through,” Piatt said. “[AFSP] has been a way for me to channel my grief into purpose.”

She encourages people to ask for help and to not bury their emotions.

“Share your feelings,” she said. “Don’t be ashamed. You need to take care of yourself and your mental health. Don’t forget there are resources out there. Don’t wait too long to get help.”

For those close to someone who has experienced losing a friend or family member to death by suicide, Piatt warns to avoid two delicate questions.

“People would ask me the means by which he passed away,” she said. “I don’t think that’s necessary to ask.”

“It’s hard for some people to talk about. Even if it’s been a long time since the death, it can still be stressful to get into detail. Some ask, ‘Well what was wrong with your dad? Why did he do that?’ I don’t know.

“It’s best to say, ‘I'm here for you if you need to talk’ and ‘Sorry to hear that,’ but don’t ask questions surrounding the cause of death.”

“If it’s a suicide death don’t blame yourself and try not to feel guilty,” Piatt said.

She recommends that people utilize all their resources and if they know someone who may be suicidal, direct them to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.