At the Monday, Sept. 13, 2022 meeting of the Culver City Council, a special recognition was made in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. Bridget McCarthy, who works with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness Walk” was there to receive the commendation, and spoke to the need for mental health support.
The proclamation noted the prevalence of suicide, as the twelfth most common leading cause of death in the country, the third most common among among children and teens, and the second most common cause of death for Americans between the ages 20-34.
Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee spoke about someone he had lost to suicide, and that it was still an even he was trying to reckon with. “There are people who seem all right, but there are often tell-tale signs that people need someone to reach out for them.”
McCarthy stated “All those we’ve lost, including my son, two years ago in Culver City, we need a real conversation about our mental health, it’s been a tough couple of years. We [AFSP} will be have having a walk on October 22nd, and all the funds raised will go directly into the community. We are grateful to have Culver City High School as a team, the support is so important – and I know this will go along way to save lives.”
McCarthy is the recipient of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Network (LASPN) and the Los Angeles Department of Mental Heath (DMH) ‘2022 Outstanding Hero Award for Advocacy’ which will be presented at the LASPN Suicide Prevention Summit on September 15, exactly two years after the suicide of her son.
Vice Mayor Albert Vera, Jr. also spoke about losing a loved one to suicide, and said that the proclamation could not be more timely. “It is about awareness, and [we need to] de-stigmatize the need to reach out for help. There is always someone willing and able to listen.”
To get involved in the October fundraising event, contact [email protected]
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo credit – City of Culver City, from l to r, Council member Goran Eriksson, Vice Mayor Albert Vera, Jr., Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee, Bridget McCarthy, Council member Yasmine Imani McMorrin, and Council member Alex Fisch.
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