Letter to the Editor: Robin Williams suicide anniversary a reminder the county has resources to help

August 11 is the one year anniversary of Robin Williams’ death by suicide.

The effects of his death will continue to impact suicide loss survivors.

Anniversaries are often a difficult time bringing us back to the day he died, the day our loved one died, asking why and what could have been done different, and revisiting the year of grief.

Survivors of Suicide of Dubois County wants to acknowledge the anniversary of Robin’s death.

We want suicide loss survivors to know they are not alone.

When Robin Williams’ death put his suicide into national spotlight many people were in shock. Suicide loss survivors felt the pain of remembering when their loved one died. We have all been impacted by the loss of our loved ones from personal to not so personal of people in national spotlight.

There are over 41,000 suicide deaths each year leaving behind an estimated 1,025,000 suicide loss survivors. More than 1 million people attempt suicide each year. Indiana has the highest suicide attempt rate for youth 6th to 12th grades.

Survivors of Suicide of Dubois County (SOS) has a mission to offer support to suicide loss survivors, increase understanding and awareness of depression, and prevent suicide by providing evidence-based suicide prevention trainings to the community.

We are the only non-profit organization that offers support to suicide loss survivors, provide suicide prevention training, and advocates for change in mental health in Indiana. SOS hopes that if problems related to Robin Williams’ anniversary or because of own personal struggles people will reach out. We have resources in our community and surrounding areas. If you need immediate help, or are concerned about someone you know, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

The board of directors of SOS offers thoughts and condolences to Robins family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Our hope is we are able to remember the numerous contributions Robin Williams made to television, film, in person, and the world. We remember his life and not only how he died as we remember our loved ones life and not only how they died.

Survivors of Suicide of Dubois County
President, Janet Schnell