On July 19th, 2012, The “Words For A Cause” episode of Ida Goeckel’s program The Mighty Pen featured guests Jerry Birk and Kristy Wright from the Buffalo Walk Committee who presented their efforts and experiences on the topic of suicide prevention and awareness. Jerry also featured his song Out of the Darkness. The full program aired on thinktwiceradio.com. An edited 24 minute MP3 verison of the show can be downloaded by right clicking on the link below and saving it to your computer or player device.
Jerry Birk and Kristy Wright Interview
Out of the Darkness
A Parent Forum on Adolescent Depression and Suicide Awareness
Wednesday, January 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Alden High School, 13190 Park Street, Alden, NY.
The program is a collaboration of the The Alden Central School District in cooperation with Akron, Depew, East Aurora, Holland, Iroquois, and Lancaster Central School Districts, and in partnership with the University at Buffalo, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). A planning committee comprised of representatives from each sponsor has been working to organize the event based on the previous successful program in Williamsville on October 25th, 2011.
The program will include a resource fair with displays and representatives from community service agencies and youth programs that provide assistance and support to families. A panel discussion will feature both mental health experts and parent survivors who will provide important information about risk factors, warning signs, and where to get help.
This forum is geared toward an adult audience and parents are asked not to bring children. The program is free and open to the public.
Out of the Darkness
A Parent Forum on Adolescent Depression and Suicide Awareness
Tuesday, October 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Williamsville South High School
5950 Main Street, Williamsville, NY.
The program is a collaboration of the Williamsville, Amherst, Clarence, and Sweet Home school districts in partnership with the University at Buffalo, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the New York State Office of Mental Health. A planning committee comprised of representatives from each sponsor has been working to organize the event for the past year.
The program will include a resource fair with displays and representatives from community service agencies and youth programs that provide assistance and support to families. A panel discussion will feature both mental health experts and parent survivors who will provide important information about risk factors, warning signs, and where to get help.
This forum is geared toward an adult audience and parents are asked not to bring children. The program is free and open to the public.
These 60-minute webinars are FREE and each participant will receive a FREE copy of our More Than Sad Teen Depression Film. The webinar is for school personnel (teachers, counselors, coaches, nurses, etc.). It would also be appropriate for those running after-school programs and even girl/boy scouts and youth groups too. If you have personal connections to anyone you think might be interested, please feel free to pass this information on to others.
We believe this offer may no longer be available, but feel free to visit www.MoreThanSad.org for details on their current offerings.
Please consider attending an upcoming conference
Suicide Prevention: A call to Community Action
Friday April 1, 2011 at Daemen College
The Buffalo VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Joan Chipps, has gathered community partners to assist in the development and organization of this very important topic. The AFSP Western New York Chapter is one of those partners. We invite you to attend the conference as it will be a full day of excellent information, starting with a panel discussion on suicide prevention to be moderated by Dr. Jan kemp, the VA National Suicide Prevention Coordinator, followed by a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, and an afternoon keynote address by Major General Graham and Mrs. Graham who will share their personal story. The Graham’s have spoken at past AFSP Leadership Conferences and are truly inspirational speakers. This is a wonderful opportunity and its’ a free conference!! Please consider attending if you can and please pass this information on to any other people that may be interested in attending.
View brochure: April 1st, 2011 Conference Brochure (PDF)
View flyer: Suicide Prevention-A Call to Community Action
People available to help those touched by suicide
Editorial written by Phil Chearmonte to help others as the holidays approach. The National Survivors of Suicide Day is an event occuring annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Bringing Suicide Out Of The Darkness: An Amherst Family’s Story
WKBW TV Health Link Story by Joanna Pasceri helping us promote awareness regarding teen depression and suicide leading up to the 2010 AFSP Out of the Darkness Buffalo Community Walk. Expert commentary by Lisa McNeil, Crisis Counseling Program Coordinator for Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service, Inc. http://www.crisisservices.org
Parents of Amherst Teen Who Completed Suicide Want To Help Others
WGRZ TV News Story by Scott Brown helping us share our story to promote awareness regarding teen depression and suicide. Expert commentary by Renae Carapella, Director for the Western New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), www.afsp.org .
Gordon J. Chearmonte, honors student at Williamsville North High School
Gordon Joseph Chearmonte, “Joe,” a junior honors student at Williamsville North High School, died suddenly Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at home.
He was born Feb. 16, 1993, in Memphis, Tenn. He attended Williamsville North High School where he was a junior honors student and a member of the varsity gymnastics team. He also enjoyed snowboarding and gaming with friends.
He is survived by his parents, Linda and Philip Chearmonte; brothers, G. Michael and Philip; grandparents, Amelia and Giacomo Chearmonte and Mary and Gordon Rose; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Mass was held Wednesday, March 3, at St. Mary’s Church.
Memorials may be made to the Joe Chearmonte Memorial Fund, c/o Evans Bank, 2800 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda, NY 14150 or Hunter’s Hope Foundation, PO Box 643, 6368 West Quaker St., Orchard Park, NY 14127, www.huntershope.org , or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 120 Wall St., 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005, www.afsp.org, in Joe’s name.
Arrangements were made by Dietrich Funeral Home.
Courtesy of The Amherst Bee :
http://www.amherstbee.com/news/2010-03-10/Obituaries/Gordon_J_Chearmonte_honors_student_at_Williamsvill.html
Suddenly, February 23, 2010, beloved son of Philip and Linda (Rose) Chearmonte; loving brother of G. Michael and Philip “P.J.” Chearmonte; grandson of Giacomo “Jack” and Amelia “Amy” Chearmonte and Gordon and Mary Rose; also survived by loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Friends may call Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the DIETRICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, 6919 Transit Rd., Swormville, NY 14051-0460. Joe was an honor student at Williamsville North High School, where he participated on the Varsity Gymnastics Team. His life touched our hearts, whether through snowboarding, gymnastics or gaming with friends. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Joe Chearmonte Memorial Fund, c/o Evans Bank, 2800 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda, NY 14150 or Hunter’s Hope Foundation, PO Box 643, 6368 West Quaker St., Orchard Park, NY 14127, www.huntershope.org or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 120 Wall St., 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005, www.afsp.org in Joe’s name. Online registry at www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com.
Courtesy of The Buffalo News
