Friends of the Coastal Branch Library (www.FOCBL.com), along with Commissioner Dan Curry (Walton County District 1), hosted a community gathering to encourage discussion and build awareness regarding some of the most difficult and sometimes most hidden personal trials people face.
Commissioner Curry opened a public discussion on the impacts of suicide within families, and especially the need for assistance in the community for those contemplating ending their lives. He shared a very personal story with those in attendance regarding his father, who lived in southern Indiana.
The elderly Curry’s sons (Commissioner Curry and his brother) became concerned about their father’s speedy cognitive decline. It was discovered that Curry’s father, who had always been responsible financially, had become the victim of a financial scam that ended up taking his life savings.
Curry shared that his father was overwhelmed by the theft and no longer seemed like himself. His sons remained involved with a plan for their father’s care, but there were no known resources available to help with their father’s suicidal ideation or services to support the family with the onset of dementia. Tragically, Commissioner Curry lost his dad to suicide.
The commissioner said, “Bottom line, a community needs to support families experiencing crises like these.”
The focus for the community gathering at the library included contact information for suicide prevention support at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which may be reached by dialing 988. The hotline is available 24/7.
Help is a Phone Call Away – Suicide and Crisis Hotline (Call 988)
Deborah Lawson from the United Way shared that those needing assistance — even family members who suspect that a crisis is happening resulting in suicide — should call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline (988).
She asked those in attendance, “What do you think is the ‘wait time’ for talking to a ‘real person’ in the midst of a personal crisis [by calling 988]?”
Her answer: “Just 4 seconds.”
Lawson, who serves as the Director of Development at the United Way of the Emerald Coast, shared that there are many needs among families in Okaloosa and Walton counties. And she also offered steps for seeking assistance and methods for acquiring resources for families in many forms.
These include: support with monthly rent, help for those who are homeless, and families needing essentials, such as help with monthly utilities.
By dialing 211, those living in Okaloosa and Walton counties will be connected with support for Homelessness and Housing Assistance in our area. There are many critical needs individuals may have, but 211 is the number to call for crisis support for citizens, military service personnel, and veterans.
Go to: https://hhalliance.org/get-help/
Local Shares Her Catastrophic Loss – She Finds Comfort in Community Support
One resident, Renée Skiff, shared the personal loss of her son, who lived out-of-state with his family. She spoke about her son’s death by suicide in his 40s. She held back tears as she expressed the importance of sharing the story of the most horrible loss — the loss of a child at any age.
Skiff provided an important resource connection for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. There is a Survivors of Suicide Support Group that meets every 3rd Saturday of the month at Bridgeway Center at 137 Hospital Drive in Fort Walton Beach from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Skiff encouraged everyone to attend and expressed that a survivor support group would also be wonderful to have in Walton County. The contact for the support group in Fort Walton Beach is Jo Menary, and she may be reached at (530) 913-2881.
Mid Bay News reached out to Jo Menary, who said that the Survivors of Suicide Support Group will NOT meet in July, but will resume meeting monthly beginning again on Saturday, August 15.
Support for Troubled Youth – Bring Hope Now
Also attending the meeting was Peggy Brockman, Executive Director of Bring Hope Now. Brockman conveyed a staggering statistic from 2019 regarding the youth suicide rate in Okaloosa County. At that time, teen suicide in Okaloosa County was the highest in the state.
She was motivated to make a difference, so she and a small group of volunteers created a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program in Okaloosa County schools. She added that the Superintendent of Schools, Marcus Chambers, got on board with the program, and with the help of the Hope Squad, the number of suicides has decreased by 50 percent.
Neighboring Santa Rosa County was slower to implement the peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, but when that county experienced a notable loss of three students in a short period of time, it knew something needed to be done that would have an impact quickly.
Brockman says the Care Crews put in place in the local schools have a significant positive impact because youth are more likely to share the difficulties they are experiencing with someone their own age.
Currently, Walton County schools are not participating in the Bring Hope Now suicide prevention effort, according to Brockman. She hopes that Walton County will provide the peer-to-peer program.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s – Support for Individuals and Families
Representing the panhandle of Florida (a total of 19 counties), Alexa Jacobs with the Alzheimer’s Association offered a presentation on the struggles with memory loss that disrupt daily life. She shared that 7 million people are living with dementia, with the elderly being most significantly impacted.
She reviewed the Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, which include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time and/or place
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood or personality
Jacobs provided several illustrations for recognizing the signs of dementia, and she said that although there is currently no cure, there are medical interventions that can help individuals and families navigate this difficult illness.
She also offered steps that everyone can take to support better brain health, and she said it is never too late to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
There is a 24/7 Helpline for information and support.
Call 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.
