Prevention partnership
A new partnership between the city and suicide prevention group Samaritans of Boston will put the organization’s training and support services in government offices across the Hub, including those that work with the most vulnerable populations.
“We’ve incorporated the Samaritans’ programs in many different departments in the city, obviously Veterans Affairs is one of the obvious ones, but Boston Center for Youth and Families, the elderly commission, to make people aware that there’s places to turn, regardless of what situation you’re in in your life or how low you think your life is,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said yesterday. “There’s always people willing to be helpful and willing to listen.”
Walsh announced the collaboration moments before hundreds of runners braved wet and windy weather to take part in the 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention at Artesani Park in Allston — an annual event that raises money and awareness for suicide prevention programs.
The partnership will include training for city employees who work with veterans, the elderly and other populations that are most vulnerable to suicide. The training will focus on how to spot warning signs and how to provide support to those at risk.
“Samaritans is thrilled to be working with Mayor Walsh and so many groups in the City of Boston to raise awareness about this issue, and to let people know that suicide is preventable,” Steve Mongeau, executive director of Samaritans, Inc., said in a statement. “Through this partnership, we will help those who are struggling, and educate many about the warning signs and risk factors surrounding suicide.”
In an effort to target teens, the Samaritans presented a suicide prevention and awareness workshop to the 800 kids in the city’s summer jobs program.
Janet Rose, whose son Dan committed suicide three years ago, watched the race from the sidelines as her husband, sister, two sons and a host of others from her town of Westwood ran and walked to remember and honor her firstborn.
“It’s awesome,” Rose said of the support and feeling of community that the race offers. “I almost started crying seeing everybody pulling in; it’s a lot.”
Dan Rose, a Cornell graduate, would have turned 30 last Thursday.
“It’ll be three years in November, and just this week I stopped crying every day, but then his birthday was Thursday, so it started all over again,” Janet Rose said. “People should know that there is help out there.”