Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention

A candle lighting ceremony aimed at raising awareness for suicide prevention began the Shining Lights of Hope Gala, held August 27, at Wings Over The Rockies in Lowry. At the dinner tables, sat small white candles placed in front of each guest.

We were first asked to light a candle if we knew someone who had taken his or her life. Candles started to flicker, including my Mom’s, who lost a close friend nearly 20 years ago. Next, guests lit their candle if they themselves had tried to take their own life. An even more powerful moment as I could see the faces of those reaching for lighters at tables near me. Then, guests were asked to light a candle if they support bring more awareness to suicide prevention. Moments later, the candles of more than 400 guests were lit, creating a soft glow in the room.

Sally Spencer, CEO & Co-founder of the Carson J Spencer Foundation, decided to make suicide prevention a priority after her brother took his life. For her, it’s about creating an army to make continual progress towards mental health being treated like other health issues. And her mission continues now with just as much gusto as it began with 10 years ago to make sure more people not only know how to help someone suffering but that those suffering know how to seek care.

Spencer’s army at the event included Governor Hickenlooper, Nelson Garcia (education reporter at KUSA) and Sergeant Kevin Briggs, who is known as Guardian of the Golden Gate after negotiating several hundred people from suicide on San Francisco’s’ iconic bridge. The overall message of the night is that of many other illnesses: that it’s treatable. Hearing first hand from a suicide survivor on stage, takes the point home.

The foundation, founded in 2005, has grown to include programs like Man Therapy (ManTherapy.org), which reaches out to men in need of help through humor and FIRE Within, a curriculum for high school students tasked with creating a business around suicide prevention.

A group of students from Massachusetts won first place for creating a school planner aimed at reducing stress by keeping students organized. Inside, inspirational quotes are meant to keep students in a positive mindset.

Spencer says it’s important to make students champions and bring awareness at a younger age. Change starts with younger generations and with the money raised that night, more will realize the importance of recognizing or facing mental illness. The future looks as bright as the candles that flickered through the programs end.