CORRECTION: 'You're not alone': Hundreds show support at suicide prevention walk

Oct. 05--ORONO, Maine -- On May 14, Bangor resident Anne Pelkey had her oldest son's name permanently inked onto her left wrist, encircled with a heart.

"I got it on his 18th birthday," the still grieving mother of four said with her husband, Rick, and other family members standing beside her at the seventh annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention.

Rick Pelkey told their son's story. He said Bryce was a 17-year-old senior at Bangor High School who wore No. 28 on the football field. For a reason the family will never know, he took his own life in January.

Many in the crowd wore shirts that read "Team Bryce 2015" to honor his memory and to let others know: If you're struggling, it's OK to ask for help.

"See all the people here -- see how many people loved you, cared about you," Rick Pelkey said, sending a message to his son.

"You're not alone," Dr. Kelly Shaw, University of Maine outreach coordinator and staff psychologist, who helped organize the annual suicide prevention walk, told the hundreds who participated.

"There is hope and a process to heal," Shaw said just before the walk started.

The number of people who pre-registered for the event this year, at 652, exceeds the total number who came last year.

"This is twice as big," Shaw said of the crowd of students, staff and community members in attendance.

The amount raised to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also exceeded goals set by hosts, the University of Maine Counseling Center and St. Joseph Healthcare. The tally before the event was $21,000, Shaw said.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Maine teenagers and young adults; on average, one UMaine student dies by suicide every year. It is also the most common cause of death for active duty military personnel, which is why the UMaine walk was dedicated to those who put on a uniform.

The Veteran's Administration estimates there are 22 active and retired veterans a day who die by suicide, and records show 19 percent of all suicides in Maine in 2012 and 2013 involved former military service members. There were 209 suicides recorded in 2012, with 40 involving veterans, and 240 suicides in 2013, with 47 recorded as veterans, according to state officials.

Emily Cain, a UMaine alumna and former state senator from Orono, addressed the crowd just before they departed on the approximately 3-mile walk through downtown Orono. She said people should not be afraid to reach out to others in their lives for support.

Three key risk factors can lead to wanting to commit suicide -- repeated exposure to violence or injury, the affected person's mistaken belief that his or her death would bring relief for loved ones, and a failed sense of belonging, Shaw has said.

She said belonging means having a connection.

"When they look around, they can see they're not alone," Shaw said.

To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 800-273-TALK (8255). For the Military Crisis Line, call the national number and then press 1. This free and confidential 24-hour service provides support, information and local resources for suicidal persons or those around them.

Veterans, servicemen, servicewomen and their family and friends who need help with a crisis also can chat online at MilitaryCrisisLine.net/Chat, or send a text message to 838255 to receive free, confidential support 24 hours per day.

CORRECTION:

An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed one title for Dr. Kelly Shaw. She is now a staff psychologist, not a clinical psychology resident.

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