The Kelvin Mikhail Suicide Awareness Campaign
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A Mother's Story: Surviving Suicide of Her Only Child — Kelvin Mikhail
By the age of seventeen, Kelvin Mikhail Smallwood-Jones exemplified everything you would want in a young man. He was an example of what greatness can be in a young, African American male. He was a leader, noble, remarkable, extraordinary, kind, compassionate, loving, honest, gentle, dauntless, charming, responsible, funny, level-headed, and down-to-earth. He was liberal, a scholar, a
The Kelvin Mikhail Suicide Awareness Campaign (KMSAC):
Campaign logo created by Kelvin’s mother, symbolizing a broken heart from that of Suicide. The logo is also being used as a campaign pin. Wearing the pin begins the awareness of knowing and sharing the facts about “What Every Person Should Know about Teen Suicide.” Wearing the pin will help to get national attention of the crisis of increased suicides at an alarming rate for black males and that it has been an epidemic for more than twenty years. The mission of this Campaign is to sell one million pins through outreach across the nation. All proceeds from the sell of the pins will go to the National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide “NOPCAS” 501(c)(3) for outreach, awareness, prevention and research in saving our children’s lives.
For speaking engagements, please contact: Gina Smallwood at (202) 340-2009 or send email to grannyd@mac.com
This campaign is in accordance with the surgeon general’s national strategy to promote awareness that suicide is a national public health problem that is preventable; implement training for recognition of at-risk behavior and delivery of effective treatment; and improve access to and community linkages with mental health and substance abuse services.
Here are the FACTS and What Every Person Should Know about Teen Suicide:
Teen Suicide is a “Silent Killer” and sometimes there are no visible signs or the signs are so subtle that a teen is mentally challenged, mentally wounded or depressed.
Teen Suicide is just a Thought Away.
Teen Suicide is a National Public Health Problem and Epidemic.
More Teens and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease.
Every One Hundred and Eighteen Minutes a Youth is a victim of suicide.
Males ages 10-24 are more susceptible to suicide due to how they develop mentally.
For more than twenty years Teen Suicide has been the 3rd leading cause of death among black males ages 15-24, the 4th leading cause of death for black males ages 10-14 and the 2nd leading cause of death for college students.
Suicide is preventable and an issue of safety for our children and should be discussed on an on-going basis like other safety issues are discussed i.e., (drunk driving, rape, HIV, drugs and alcohol). What I learned is discussing it with my son once was not enough.
Some deaths that are recorded as homicide and unintentional deaths are actually suicides.
There is help if you notice the warning signs call “The Suicide Prevention Life Line” 1-800-273-TALK(8255).
There is information and knowledge on how to prevent it and how to begin to feel comfortable discussing visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Know the facts, communicate it with your children, your family, your friends, your communities. Let’s play a part in keeping our children alive and safe.
Suicide Warning Signs:
Threatening to hurt or kill one self or talking about wanting to hurt or kill one self
Looking for ways to kill one self by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
Feeling hopeless
Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities—seemingly without thinking
Feeling trapped—like there’s no way out
Increasing alcohol or drug use
Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
Experiencing dramatic mood changes
Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
Campaign Marketing Material and Website designed by www.creative-inner-g.com