The prevalence of suicide and its local impact were brought home to Michigan City the week of Sept. 9, as Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City observed National Suicide Week Prevention Week with a number of daily programs, among them the reading a proclamation by Mayor Ron Meer, shown at the podium on Sept. 10, declaring the city’s observance of the week and supporting the hospital’s awareness campaign.
Meer spoke of the tragedy of a former coworker who showed no trouble signs before taking his life and pointed out suicide as the 10th leading cause of deaths in the United States. It also was cited as the second leading cause of deaths of Hoosiers aged 10 to 24 and the 13th leading cause of deaths in the state.
Dr. James Callaghan, hospital president, shown to the mayor’s left, also addressed a gathering of community and hospital representatives, adding up to 90 percent of suicide victims most likely had a treatable disorder and encouraged those who need help “to reach out and speak up – it’s time to break the silence.”
Other speakers included Jennifer Jimenez, of the Franciscan Physicians Network psychiatry unit, shown next to Callaghan; and John McIntosh, interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of psychology at Indiana University-South Bend.
Other “Break the Silence”-themed hospital programs for the week included a mental health fair, an evening vigil, information booths located throughout the city and a panel discussion at City Hall.