(BROOME COUNTY, NY) Earlier this month Broome County Suicide Awareness for Everyone (B.C. SAFE) and the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST) cohosted a week of action involving the community creation of sidewalk art in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day.
“Chalk the Walk & Have the Talk” encouraged both organizations and individuals to safely beautify sidewalks and pavement with messages and images of hope, resilience, suicide awareness and prevention.
During the week of action, chalked walks were entered to win prizes based on the following categories: Most Thoughtful Message, Most “likes” on Facebook, and Most Creative.
Leaders of the event are proud to announce the winners:
Most Creative – Brett Bright
Most Liked on Facebook – Jilliyn Lundeen
Most Thoughtful Message – Colleen Curtin
B.C. SAFE is a coalition whose mission is to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts by increasing public awareness and providing educational and training resources in Broome County. Given the unprecedented times we are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the coalition feels that encouraging creativity through sidewalk art is an activity that can be done while practicing safe distancing. Instilling a sense hope and positivity through messaging to highlight suicide awareness and prevention is important for the public to know that there is hope and that they are not alone.
If you or someone you know needs emotional support or help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline where trained helpers are available 24/7 at 1-800-273- TALK (8255) or text the “Got5” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. For more information and resources head to http://www.gobroomecounty.com/mh/bcsaf
