BELLEFONTE — On the steps of the courthouse Sept. 4 sat 42 empty pairs of shoes, as politicians, local mental health care providers and survivors gathered at the courthouse to kick off September as Suicide Prevention Month in Centre County.
Those 42 pairs represented the number of lives that are lost weekly in the commonwealth to suicide.
The rally at the courthouse was to raise awareness, as well as end the stigma that comes with seeking mental health help, in order to prevent people from choosing suicide as a way out.
Organized by the Centre County Suicide Prevention Task Force, the event was a start to a month focused on reminding people to reach out if they are in need of help.
“And, also to remind people to reach to those that we love and that we care about — our friends, our neighbors, our family members — and make sure that they are OK, and if they are not, to be willing to have that courageous conversation and connect them to resources,” said Marisa Vicere, chairwoman of the task force. She said that 1 in 5 people have a diagnosable mental illness.
“Together, we need to continue to break down the barriers that prohibit individuals to seek treatment and provide resources to adults and our youth so they know how best to support everyone in our lives,” said Vicere. She said having conversations and events can make a difference and that “suicide is preventable.”
In addition, Monday, Sept. 10, has been decaled as Suicide Prevention Day, with a community event at Millbrook Marsh to create public awareness, educate the community and remember those who have died with art, music and a community dinner.
The crowd at the courthouse was moved by Shawn Henfling, who shared his story about considering suicide and how he has moved forward since.
“I know what it is to be stuck in that darkness, I know what it is to experience that, and I know what it is to come out of it,” said Henfling. “We have this habit of calling suicide selfish and that is really the farthest thing from the truth.”
He said he was lucky to have a friend reach out to him at the last second and that made all the difference. Suddenly, he had someone to talk to.
“That was the first time I really admitted to anyone that I had a problem,” said Henfling. He then sought help from a doctor.
“Getting help means to some people that they might see you as weak.,” he said. “I will tell you the strongest thing that I have ever done was going to the doctor the first time and telling him that I was suicidal and that I had almost ended my own life.
“I can stand here today and say that I am lucky to be alive.”
Henfling said that, while celebrities who commit suicide bring a lot of attention to suicide awareness, every life matters.
“We are all celebrities to someone. Someone looks up to us. Someone loves us. Someone needs us in their lives. So take that step, make that effort and get help.”
State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said that mental illness and suicide are something that everyday people deal with, but that if we reach out we can help people overcome it.
“We all need to take time to recognize what the symptoms are and be aware. We can be a real comfort to people,” said Benninghoff. “Just by reaching out to someone, we can help them remember that life is great. We’ve all got ups and downs, we all have financial challenges and marital changes and whatever else.
“I think Shawn is a good success story for anybody who is listening. That there is a lot of ability to change, so hopefully someone hears it and thinks, ‘Maybe I could do that.’”
For state Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, the issue is personal, as he remembers losing a loved one to suicide 20 years ago.
“I don’t even really refer to it that way. I lost a loved one to depression — just like people pass away from different ailments. Depression is an ailment that leads to people making this decision,” said Corman. “So when I refer to it, I always refers to it as losing my loved one, my sister, to depression.
“It my honor to be here to help recognize this month and bring awareness. It may not seem like a lot, but the more we talk about it, the more we do little things like this, the more awareness comes out and maybe we do touch someone’s life and we prevent that one person who now seeks helps.”
Centre County has resources available for those who may be considering suicide or are in need of help. Centre Helps offers a 24-hour hotline to help with any problem at any time at (800) 494-2500 or (814) 237-5855. Immediate mental health crisis intervention services are available 24 hours a day, every day, by calling Centre County Can Help at (800) 643-5432.
