Raising awareness and saving lives, Samaritans of Rhode Island look for teammates

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 8/25/15

By KELCY DOLAN

“We are local Rhode Islanders helping other Rhode Islanders,” Denise Panichas, executive director of The Samaritans of Rhode Island, said in a recent interview.

The …

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Raising awareness and saving lives, Samaritans of Rhode Island look for teammates

Posted

By KELCY DOLAN

“We are local Rhode Islanders helping other Rhode Islanders,” Denise Panichas, executive director of The Samaritans of Rhode Island, said in a recent interview.

The Samaritans of Rhode Island began in 1977 and is a locally based non-profit focusing on suicide prevention and awareness.

The group has four major programs, the first being a 24-hour crisis hotline for those contemplating suicide. They also host a support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide as well as a youth and community education.

One of their latest awareness campaigns, “Cross the Bridge to Hope,” participates alongside the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run/Walk. This is the third year in which participants of the run can join the Samaritan team to help raise money and awareness for the organization.

The Samaritans goal this year is to raise $30,000 and to have participants representing all of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns.

In 2014 alone there were 116 suicides in Rhode Island, but Panichas said when you read about deaths from suicide it is only a portion of the story.

“Those who have completed suicide are in the smallest universe,” she said. “You have to consider those who have attempted, maybe more than once, and all of those who are at risk.”

She said the problem of suicide and mental illness becomes much more pervasive when you think about every side.

Because of this, three years ago, the Samaritans decided to create a secondary way to raise awareness and financials and that is how they joined the Pell Bridge Run.

Initially, Panichas said it was odd to run across the very bridge people have used before in their suicides, especially because the Samaritans have signs along the bridge with their hotline; should someone on the bridge be contemplating suicide, they have somewhere to reach out to.

“It is our curse and our hope,” she said.

The signs show that not only is suicide a prevalent problem and people are suffering, but also hope that those same individuals considering jumping will consider the phone call.

Panichas said that the Samaritans try to be “a gateway to care.” Having a kind stranger to speak to can lead to speaking with a friend, a parent, or even a professional.

She said most people don’t “casually” call the center or view their website, rather people are only using either when they need it; however, without information or knowledge of the Samaritans readily available, someone could miss out on a possibly life-saving resource.

“There is always a new generation to educate,” Panichas said.

Through the “Cross the Bridge to Hope” campaign, the Samaritans can not only reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide, but also spread awareness of their services.

Last year there were 66,000 visits to the Samaritans of Rhode Island website. Already this year to date, the site has seen 70,000 visits, an increase Panichas credits to the Pell Bridge Run.

All donations to the Samaritans remain local, benefiting Rhode Islanders.

Before the race, the Samaritans of Rhode Island will be hosting informational sessions on the suicide prevention and awareness campaign “Cross the Bridge to Hope” throughout the state in the month of September.

The first will be on Sept. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Middletown Public Library, 700 West Main Road, Middletown.

On Sept. 8 the Westerly Public Library will host a session from 6 to 7 p.m. at 44 Broad Street, Westerly.

There will be a session at the Warwick Public Library Sept. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. at 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick.

On Sept. 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. there will be a session at the Providence Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence.

At the Samaritans of RI Forget-Me-Not Gallery, at 67 Park Place, Pawtucket, there will be a session on Sept. 14 from 6 to 7 p.m.

The last session will be on Sept. 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Woonsocket Harris Library, 303 Clinton Street, Woonsocket.

For more information on the Samaritans of Rhode Island, visit their website at www.samaritansri.org or call The Samaritans business line at 721-5220.

To donate or join the team, visit www.crowdrise.com/samaritansri2015.

The 4-mile 2015 Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run will be Oct. 25 and begins at 7:15 a.m.

The Samaritans of Rhode Island’s Crisis Hotline can be reached at 272-4044 or 800-365-4044.

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