Student’s project touches sensitive issue of suicide

Tim Forsberg
Posted 4/14/15

Sometimes, demons win. Sometimes, they have the upper hand. And sometimes, they’re slain when brought into the light.

Last Saturday’s beautiful spring morning promised a renewal of life at …

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Student’s project touches sensitive issue of suicide

Posted

Sometimes, demons win. Sometimes, they have the upper hand. And sometimes, they’re slain when brought into the light.

Last Saturday’s beautiful spring morning promised a renewal of life at Warwick’s City Park and a crowd gathered near the park’s beach to remember those who had taken their own.

About 150 people took part in Nicholas Marold’s senior project, an Out of the Darkness suicide awareness walk on the park’s trail. A student of Warwick Veterans high school, Nick wanted to expose the often taboo subject of taking one’s own life.

“Suicide is a very sensitive subject, a very touchy thing. No one likes to talk about it, no one likes to bring it up,” said Nick. “So I really decided that it was important that I did something more to bring that out. Suicide is something that’s swept under the rug; no one really brings a light to it.”

Nick contacted the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), which helps organize Out of the Darkness fundraising walks to support research that improves the understanding of suicide and ways to prevent it. The national organization funds educational programs to increase awareness about prevention, warning signs and the psychiatric illnesses that can lead to suicide. They also provide schools touched by loss with information, tools, and guidance.

Nick’s project helped organize the first ever spring walk in the state for the organization.

“He has raised over $7,000,” said Kathryn Cortes, co-chair of the board of the RI AFSP.  “We are so impressed with him, I can’t even begin to tell how impressed we are. The turnout and support from the community has been outstanding, he’s really set the bar.”

Suicide is prevalent amongst the young like Nick. According to statistics provided by the AFSP, suicide is the first leading cause of death for Rhode Island children aged 10-14, and the second leading cause of death for those in the state between the ages of 15 to 35.  

“Suicide is such a permanent solution to temporary problems,” said Nick’s mother, Michelle. “We want people to know that there is light, and that it’s okay to talk about it.”

Participants came from across the state, each for their own personal reasons. Maggy Bell, the school psychologist for Barrington Middle School, joined some of the school’s administrative staff, teachers, and members of the community in raising nearly $2,500 for the event. The school suffered the loss of a 7th grade student last year to suicide.

“I just think that it’s really important and at least you feel like you’re doing something, taking action and bringing awareness to this topic,” said Maggy of her group’s efforts. “It really needs to be talked about a lot more.”

The Warwick sports community used the opportunity to recognize the loss of one of their own.

 “This really strikes home, especially going to Vets and loosing Ed Walsh,” said Jonathan Marr, coach of the Warwick Veterans Junior Varsity baseball team. All of his players participated in the walk and raised nearly $500 in memory of Ed Walsh, who died last August at the age of 48. “I think to have the baseball team walk and raise money for it was a worthy move.”

“I have a friends and family members who in the past have struggled with depression and anxiety, and I thought this was definitely a good cause,” said Ward 7 Councilwoman Kathleen Usler, who participated and brought her four children. “Hopefully we can help someone along the way.”

Kristen Nelson, joined with the event’s largest group with about 70 of her friends and family. All walked in memory of her brother Ryan, who took his life last August at the age of 34.

“We set up a memorial fund in our brother’s honor and we give to different causes that my brother had helped during his lifetime,” said Kristen of Ryan’s Helping Hands. “So far we’ve given money to soup kitchens, community organizations, and we’ve given money to help people buy Christmas trees who can’t afford them.”

Though they had all come together in the day’s early light for support, the event was certainly bittersweet.

“I’m happy and sad today,” said Kristen. “I hope no one ever has to go through that loss.”

For more information on suicide prevention, visit www.afsp.org/

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