Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Suicide & Mental Illness

September 2011, I ran my first 5K. By fate or coincidence, it was the Samaritans’ 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness. That day changed my life.

I lost my dad to suicide in 1992. He was 56 years old. It happened one month before he was to walk me down the aisle to be married. To say it was devastating wouldn’t begin to describe the shock, the utter screeching halt of my life. But life doesn’t stop.

I sought counseling & I went to Survivors of Suicide meetings. I am not a writer, so the profound words needed to express how much those meetings saved me are not at my fingertips. Though when I found Samaritans it gave me a purpose.

Samaritans’ mission is to reduce the incidence of suicide by alleviating despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community, 24 hours a day; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. They accomplish this through services that emphasize confidential, non-judgmental, and compassionate listening.

My mission is to help Break the Stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness. The stigma and shame that shrouds mental illness prevents people from talking and expressing their feelings. We tell ourselves, “don’t share your feelings, people will think you are weak!” It takes courage to talk about your feelings; to admit you need help. I found the best way to break the stigma is to just be open myself.

Now when I have a therapist appointment and need to leave work early, I don’t say I have a doctor’s appointment. I say I have a therapy appointment. You know what? Nobody blinked an eye, no talking behind my back, no weird stares. Sometimes I got a, “oh I love talking to my therapist, don’t you?” I have found in these past six years that the more I talk about mental illness and suicide, the more people talk to me.

My 3^rd year signing up for the Samaritans’ run I decided to form a team. I didn’t believe this was a race I should run alone. The team grows every year and each year I meet people and listen to their personal stories of loss and living with mental illness. Last year Team CHOWDER raised over $8,000 for Samaritans. This year our goal is $10,000. On August 12, 2017 at City Streets, 411 Waverly Oaks in Waltham, we are holding a fundraiser. A $25 donation includes dinner. A live band will be performing. Local businesses have donated incredible raffle prizes. I hope to see you there.

Break the Stigma & remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Carrie Howder

Team CHOWDER

http://give.samaritanshope.org/site/TR/5KWalkRun/TeamRaiserWorkshop?px=1...