Suicide Awareness

 

Suicide Awareness Walk

Resources

Youth/Young Adults

photo of 2 people looking out over the ocean watching the sunset

Suicide Prevention Resources

When Sharing Kindness began, a small group of family and friends were grieving the death of a beloved 16-year-old. Our intention was to help each other grasp the truth in the present moment: Jeremy had died from suicide. We learned so much, so quickly. We learned that suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people, ages 15-24. We learned that Jeremy’s friends were at increased risk of dying by suicide, as were we, his family. We learned that the stigma surrounding suicide made it difficult for some people who wanted to support us or Jeremy’s friends, it was difficult for them to acknowledge our loss and pain. Jeremy’s friends at Nauset High School needed support, and we quickly ascertained that Cape Cod had few resources to offer young people. The first Cape and Islands Suicide Awareness Walk was an action of solidarity in grief and a tangible support for these high school students.

Sharing Kindness is here for you too. We have all walked some part of this path, and community bolsters us, frees us from darkness, and gives us courage to face another day.

We were surprised that almost 400 other people joined us at that first walk. We realized that they too, lacked the support and resources to process their burdens of grief and stigma from the suicide death or suicide attempt of a loved one. We were humbled to be part of a beautiful community, sharing stories, and seeking a healthy way to move forward in life. Sharing Kindness was born at that first walk.

Along the way, we have welcomed friends, volunteers, and new acquaintances into our suicide awareness programs and walks.  Sharing Kindness is here for you too. We have all walked some part of this path, and community bolsters us, frees us from darkness, and gives us courage to face another day. At Sharing Kindness, we support each other by acknowledging our pain and love and loss. For many of us this requires education. In addition to our Suicide awareness programming, many of us have found these resources helpful. Please consider whether they resonate with you, then take what you like and leave the rest.