September 2016 is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; a time set aside for national, state and local mental health agencies to get the word out about resources available to those thinking about taking their own lives.
Of course the vast majority of people do not wish to discuss the topic, denoted by dark thoughts and for many, remembrance of profound loss.
With that in mind, the California Men’s Colony Suicide Prevention Awareness week kicked off Sept. 12, and culminated on Sept. 16, with a walkathon in support of the national effort.
Robert Horon, Senior Psychologist and Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the California Department of Health Care Services, was on hand to observe, and noted that most of the inmates and guards were directly impacted by the suicide of friends, family members, or people they knew in the system. That was attested to by the sheer variety of messages left on a memorial display set up in the lobby outside of one of the prison’s visiting areas. Featuring a large banner and art made by inmates, dozens of ribbons with messages for loved ones lost to suicide covered the display. Some were dedicated to several family members at a time.
While the memorial and tables with information on High-Risk Management Programs and employee assistance programs were up all week, the most immersive activity for inmates was the, “First Annual Walk for Awareness Walk-A-Thon” on Friday.
With charitable contributions pledged to the walkers by Dignity Health – operators of French and Arroyo Grande Medical Centers – for every lap around the prison yards completed; volunteers from the local nonprofit Transitions Mental Health Association – the recipient of the donations – were on hand to help count along with the Mental Health Department, the inmate Men’s Advisory Council and CMC Gold Coat inmates.
“It’s inspiring to see how supportive the inmates are of each other and turning out to support us,” said Tia Araminta, Senior Psychologist Supervisor at the CMC.
Far from the depressing scene one might expect entering one of the four prison exercise yards, she noted that such activities help inmates find purpose in their day.
The fastest of the walkers – no running allowed – had managed 26-laps by 10 a.m. and in one yard at least, inmates and staff were all smiles.
In Yard D, attached to barracks where most of the CMC’s mental health patients are held, including those with symptoms as diverse as schizophrenia and severe anxiety disorders to depression, TMHA Outreach Coordinator Shannon McOuat said she’d been told by multiple inmates that the efforts were making a difference.
They distributed materials for mental health resources available upon release as well as handing out information that at least one inmate said would be “life changing.”
Araminta was pleased with the overall high turn out to the Walk-a-thon compared to the population size of each unit, and noted that it was the first time they’d held such and event organized through the mental health staff. Horon said it was likely the first in the California correctional system and an inspiring example for other institutions.
For national information about Suicide prevention awareness month, go online to: nami.org/suicideawarenessmonth.
For the San Luis Obispo area suicide hotline call: 1-800-783-0607.
