Dear Friends and Neighbors,<\/p>\n
Suicide. There is no more devastating word in the English language. Here is the story of three couples and their efforts to help people in the aftermath of suicide.<\/p>\n
Cindy and Bob Roberts and Kate and Dave Miller amid their unimaginable grief have made it their mission to do what they can to try and spare other families the pain they have endured. Chris and Mary Jo Gibson through war service and now public service are impacting many lives touched by suicide.<\/p>\n
Here are their stories.<\/p>\n
Cindy and Bob Roberts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Cindy and Bob Roberts are proud Gold Star Parents of SGT. Kristie A. Roberts. I first met them 2 1\/2 years ago when working for Congressman Gibson to discuss the interment of their daughter Kristie in Saratoga National Cemetery.<\/p>\n In early June the Roberts asked if I would investigate the possibility of a “Memorial” bridge in Kristie’s name. They had seen on a recent trip to Tennessee bridges and highways with memorial plaques as a way of not forgetting the fallen. They hoped to honor their daughter’s service while including the suicide hotline contact information.<\/p>\n Warren County moved quickly. County Attorney Martin Auffredou established the process. DPW Superintendent Jeff Tennyson identified the Route 149 bikeway bridge as an option. Denise Diresta, Director of Veterans Services at Warren County, provided guidance and support. The Roberts were invited to the July Public Works committee meeting.<\/p>\n At the meeting Cindy and Bob asked for the bridge to be named in their daughter’s honor because of her service with the Army National Guard (air medic), and countless hours supporting local fire departments and rescue squads as an emergency medical technician. They said their hope is by naming the bridge for Kristie it will help “stop the negative stigma” associated with suicide. The dedication was approved by committee and on August 21 the full board gave approval.<\/p>\n Signage on the bridge will include the phone number for the suicide prevention hotline. If one person sees this number and calls for help it could save a life and a family.<\/p>\n If you are in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.<\/p>\n Kate and Dave Miller <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n It was just supposed to be a medicine for allergies. How could it go so terribly wrong?<\/p>\n NBC News report (updated 5\/7\/2008): When Kate Miller filled a new allergy drug prescription for her 15-year-old son, Cody, last July (July 2007), she hoped it would improve his bothersome allergy symptoms. Now, Miller is wondering whether a possible side effect of the drug, Singulair, caused Cody — who she describes as a happy, athletic teenager — to take his own life about a month later. Miller isn’t alone …<\/em><\/p>\n For the complete story click here: http:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/id\/24262690\/ns\/health-mental_health\/t\/mystery-medications-linked-suicide\/#.Vd27E_lVhBc<\/a><\/p>\n Amid their unimaginable grief the Millers have made it their mission to do what they can to try and spare other families the pain they have endured.<\/p>\n Since Cody’s passing the Millers have worked tirelessly on Cody’s Climb an annual hike hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise funds and awareness for prevention and education. The hike was originated in 2009 by the Millers. This past May marked the seventh annual Hike for Hope with hundreds of hikers participating. To learn more about the hike, please contact Laura Marx, AFSP area director, at 518-791-1544 or at LMarx@afsp.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Millers have also worked with Congressman Gibson and Senator Gillibrand on legislation titled the Cody Miller Initiative for Safer Prescriptions Act that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services ensure patients receive high-quality information about their prescription medications, and are aware of the potential risks and benefits of prescription medications.<\/p>\n Kate Miller was completely unaware information from her pharmacy was not directly regulated by the FDA. The changes the Gibson and Gillibrand bills propose would address this requiring drug companies to provide easy to understand language for consumers including side effects and serious risks. These bills have not been taken up in Congress for a vote.<\/p>\n Chris and Mary Jo Gibson<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Chris is a decorated war hero who has served four combat tours. He has seen firsthand the horrors of war and the devastation the experience can have on those who have served. In Congress he is a leader on veteran issues. Just yesterday he joined with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) to hold a “listening session” at Fort Drum with service members and their families’ regarding proposed changes to retirement and healthcare benefits.<\/p>\n Specifically related to suicide, Chris was a co-sponsor of the Clay Hunt Save Act<\/strong> unanimously passed in Congress and signed into law by the president on February 12, 2015. The legislation is key to curbing the epidemic of veteran suicides by improving the accessibility and effectiveness of mental health care available to our returning heroes.<\/p>\n Mary Jo has become a leader in her own right having served as a founding co-chair of the Congressional Spouses for Suicide Prevention and Education. She wrote an Op-Ed titled Help save a life by reaching out to our veterans – http:\/\/www.registerstar.com\/opinion\/letters_to_the_editor\/article_2126fa34-48b1-11e3-b0de-001a4bcf887a.html.<\/p>\n They both work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. They are currently working on communicating about and participating in the Out Of The Darkness Walks scheduled this fall. The walks bring family and friends together who have lost a loved one to suicide. The funds raised go to education in the schools, training and research.<\/p>\n