Clearview student suicide awareness event

A Clearview student has organized an event to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

A Clearview student has organized an event to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Madilyn Love, a junior at Clearview High School, is using her community service project to host a screening of “Suicide: The Ripple Effect” at Atlas Cinemas Midway Mall 8, 2650 Midway Mall in Elyria.

“The screening is something I was motivated to do when I think about a classmate of mine who committed suicide when I was in sixth-grade,” Madilyn said. “We weren’t friends, but it still had a profound effect on me.

“He was a happy and nice kid, and it hit us all hard especially the day his funeral procession went by our school. After seeing all of the suicides by famous people in the last few months, I realized my own brothers are now in sixth grade, and it’s real scary to think suicide is something a friend or family mem- ber could ever be thinking about.” The movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23.

People struggle to find a response to these tragedies, Madilyn said.

“When my classmate ended his life, no one knew how to respond,” she said. “Even the adults in our school were upset and seemed unsure how to handle it all. I don’t want to think about what his family went through.”

Madilyn said people need to talk more openly about suicide.

“I know it’s difficult, but it’s important to keep an open conversation going about suicide and why it’s not a good choice,” she said.

“People should not be afraid to talk about what they or someone they know might be going through.

“Conversations have the ability to save someone’s life, but we won’t get there if we are afraid to address the problem.”

Madilyn said everyone has been supportive of the event.

“I work at the movie theater, and my manager has been very supportive of the screening,” she said. “I also have people from (The) Nord Center and National Alliance coming out as well to talk about mental illness.”

The screening will promote the message of hope, Madilyn said.

“‘Suicide: The Ripple Effect’ is a biography of Kevin Hines, who attempted to commit suicide at 19 years old by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge,” she said. “He survived the attempt, and the movie chronicles how his attempt affected others.

“Suicide touches everyone in some way, and I hope seeing the movie shows people there is hope.”

Madilyn said tickets for the event are $12 and must be purchased online to Gathr.us/screening/24113.

“Even though the theater I work for is donating the space, there are costs involved in licensing and other expenses,” she said. “I know the ticket is expensive, but $12 (plus service fee) is worth this important message.

“If I can raise additional funds, I hope to purchase the movie license for my school district. (And) $495 gets a one-time license and $1,500 gets an unlimited license.

“If I don’t raise enough money, the funds will go to Clearview High School Educational Endowment for future grants. If you are unable to attend the screening, you can make a donation to this cause or purchase a ticket to be donated to a local teenager on the website.”

Madilyn said people need to talk more openly about suicide.

To learn more about the movie, go to SuicideTheRippleEffect. com.

Madilyn Love