News : If you need a sign, here it is

One of the most painful parts of life is the death of someone close to us. Usually, it happens through illness or an accident, but sometimes it's brought on because life was for some reason just too hard to deal with. When that happens, families are left with the pain of not knowing the whys and always asking themselves if they could have prevented the actions that took away their loved ones.

Depression is an illness that takes you to the point that you can't see anything other than stopping the pain. The only thing you can see is a desire to make the thoughts stop. Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be an answer other than, just needing a sign.

According to Wikipedia, the cases of suicide have remained the same during the pandemic or have gone down. But according to the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, he said that "between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates among American youth ages 10 to 24 increased from 6.8 to 10.7 per 100,000, and early estimates from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics suggest more than 6,600 people in the same age group died by suicide in 2020. Early clinical data from the CDC shows that in early 2021, emergency department visits in the U.S. for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher for adolescent girls and 4% higher for adolescent boys compared to the same time period in early 2019." COVID has not helped the mental wellbeing of the population.

An area woman decided that to help area residents, teenagers and adults alike, she wanted to put a billboard up with a message for anyone struggling. It is located on Highway 218 near T-J Gas.

It says, "If you're looking for a sign, here it is, you matter." Back in 2020, Jamie Stander sent out a Facebook post asking for anyone in the area that would like to be part of a Suicide Prevention photoshoot, to contact her. Her message was, "The world is better with you in it!" She planned to have any teenager who wanted to hold up encouraging signs for anyone struggling. The signs said, "I am here," "I care," or "I will listen." Those who came to participate were students from Center Point-Urbana, Vinton-Shellsburg, and several adults.

Stander said, "Suicide is real, depression is real, and our words are real! Just because no one likes to talk about it or is uncomfortable talking about it doesn't make it go away. Everyone feels differently, loves differently, reacts differently and that is ok, because each and every one of us matters.

So, let's use our words to put it out there that there is no shame in asking for help, telling someone your mind isn't in a good place, telling someone you are self-harming yourself, telling on the bully whether the bullying is being done to you or you witness someone else being bullied. Confide in someone that your mother or father is being mentally and physically abused or is abusing you!

There is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about your life, your struggle, or your story! WE ARE HERE, WE WILL LISTEN, and WE CARE!"

Stander has been able to see her dream come true bringing Suicide Prevention a bit more in the open. "Suicide awareness and prevention is dear to my heart and something that I will never be quiet about." Stander shared that this fight to save lives is personal for her. Having seen the effects of a suicide attempt, multiple times, she said she feels strongly about prevention and awareness. She admits that she may be overbearing at times, but she wants our kids to know, and every adult to know that "it's okay to not be okay."

Getting word out was a collaboration of Stander, Mel Davis, Scott Wood, and Shadoe Vogt. Stander said of the group that she could not have done this without them, the world needs more people like them!
Suicide Prevention HotlineIf you are unable to find someone to talk to in the community, there is help available through a Crisis Text Line, simply text the word HOME to 741741. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
TeenagersIf you are a teenager being abused at home, Foundation 2 can help you. Here is a link to their website. Foundation 2 offers Emergency Youth Shelter, Youth Crisis Services, school-based services, support groups, crisis support hotline at 319-362-2174. Your Life Iowa Talk 855-581-8111 Text 855-8958398 Web yourlifeiowa.org Do you need someone to talk to? You can find a therapist at psychologytoday.com Click on "find a therapist" and type in your zip code.
Abusive RelationshipsFor anyone who might be in an abusive relationship that can push you to the edge, there are resources out there to help you as well. Here are three that serve our area. If for any reason you are in immediate danger call 911 of course, and allow the officers to step in and help you. https://www.waypointservices.org/

https://riverviewcenter.org/

https://www.usattorneylegalservices.com/women-shelters-Iowa.html

Domestic & Sexual Abuse Victim Advocacy | Friends of the Family (fofia.org)

It is most important to remember that you can knock on anyone's door at any time of the day or night, and talk. Reach out through social media to any of your friends.

Thank you to those in the area that I reached out for the information contained in this story, your help is very appreciated!