Edmond Organizations Host Suicide Prevention Summit Monday

Community organizations got together to host the city's Suicide Prevention Summit aimed to raise awareness and provide support for families and individuals who are dealing with suicide.

From the police department to schools to private counseling services, presenters spoke to about a hundred community members looking to educate themselves about suicide.

Jackie Shaw is the Executive Director at Edmond Family Counseling. She said nationwide statistics show suicides have risen by about 15 percent. Participants at Monday night's summit said they hoped to eliminate the taboo surrounding suicide and start talking to save lives

"We are all touched by the death of another human being," explained Shaw. "We don't live solitary lives and that's what makes the difference, one another."

The goal of the summit was to reach out and start that dialogue.

"It's very important when you look at suicides as being one of the leading killers of teenager in the state of Oklahoma," said Sheila Stinnett, a counselor with Edmond Public Schools.

JoAnn Bronstad spoke at a "Parents Helping Parents" breakout session. She told the group that suicide claimed her son's life almost two decades ago.

"He left a note, which was the most loving, caring note as only he would have done," recalled Bronstad. "It said, ‘I guess I just don't have any reason to get up anymore,' and you know, It's depression."

It was 18 years ago her son did not show up for Valentine's Day dinner. Jason shot and killed himself in Texas. Bronstad saw that her son was depressed, but says she didn't know what to do. Now she's speaking up in hopes anyone in need will reach out for help because help is out there.

"We all need to be about the business of making sure that we know what to say to whom at the appropriate time to try to intervene and prevent these tragedies from occurring," said Shaw.

While the Bronstad can't bring her son back, she finds solace in raising awareness and sharing memories of Jason with others but she will never forget the pain of losing Jason.

"We can either let it swallow us or we can stand up and help other people to prevent."

There were nearly a dozen resources educating folks about suicide prevention and community leaders in Edmond say they won't let the issue go unaddressed.

Learn more about finding help in your area.

A list of Oklahoma-area suicide hotlines.