Responding to Crisis: Suicide Prevention and Irma

The month of September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month and September 10th was World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day. As I have said in previous newsletters, suicide is a tragic end to a life and is one of the fastest growing epidemics in the US and across the world. Each year in the US alone 44,000 people commit suicide, and 31,000 of those suicides are Caucasian males. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month raises awareness about these tragic deaths and encourages education about how suicide can be prevented.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay answers calls in our community for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and works in collaboration with many other community organizations to promote awareness about suicide, mental illnesses challenges associated with suicide, as well as activities around suicide prevention throughout the year. We also come together with our community partners to host World Suicide Prevention Awareness day. This year, the World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day event was interrupted by Hurricane Irma. We've made sure to include the new date, time, and location in this newsletter.

I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to reflect on how the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay responded to Irma - our community's most recent crisis.... READ MORE

- MORE NEWS! -

A Team of Support: Sara's Story

For as long as Sara could remember, she had suffered.

Night terrors, flashbacks and emotional numbness were part of her daily existence. It began when she was a child.

For years, she was physically and verbally abused by her father. Sara endured as best she could, and moved out of the house as soon as she was able to live on her own. Tragically, the abuse and betrayal continued into her adult life when her boyfriend, Gary, raped her. She was only 25. She didn't talk about the rape to anyone and never reported it.

At age 30, she realized she needed help... READ MORE

A Hand Up: Kimberly's Story

Kimberly was never the same after battling cancer.

The disease went into remission, but the chemotherapy weakened her body and, 10 years later, she still felt the effects. Yet, she pressed forward with life because she had three boys to raise and knew she was a survivor. She used her education to find steady work as a paralegal.

Overcoming cancer, however, was not her only challenge. Hospitalized after a car accident and pulmonary embolism, she had to stop working and recover. The bills piled up and she fell behind on her rent.

Kimberly knew she needed extra help, so she called 2-1-1....READ MORE

Telephone Reassurance: Keeping Seniors Safe

Every 80 minutes in the United States, a senior citizen takes their own life. There are numerous life challenges and changes that can take place after age 65. Loss of family or friends, illness, and reduced independence can leave someone feeling isolated and lonely.

The Crisis Center operates a program called Telephone Reassurance that helps homebound seniors and other adults with disabilities know they are not alone and that people care about them. Each weekday morning, volunteers come to the Gateway Contact Center and make safety calls to over 150 individuals. The calls help these individuals feel more connected and provide assurance they are not alone in the world.

If you're interested in being a telephone reassurance volunteer, contact Erin DeSimonde at [email protected] or (813) 969-4996.

Heroes Among Us: Cherie and Harvey Schonbrun

Cherie and Harvey Schonbrun first learned about the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at a special event held at the home of Marie and Allan Martin in 2012. The Schonbruns were so impressed they made a $10,000 donation that evening.

Following the event, they took a Crisis Center tour and were deeply moved by what they learned. They witnessed intervention specialists answering crisis calls in 2-1-1. They walked through Sexual Assault Services. They saw where children receive counseling in the Corbett Trauma Center.

They knew they had made the right decision to invest in the Crisis Center and decided to do even more...READ MORE

Do You Have Questions about Wills, Trusts, or Probate?

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's Legacy Council has put together an expert panel of financial and legal professionals for a special event called Estate Planning: Myths and Misunderstandings.

Come to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and learn "fact" and "fiction" regarding trusts, probate, power of attorney, and other estate planning topics.

Estate Planning: Myths and Misunderstandings

Thursday, October 12, 2017

11:30am-1:30pm

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

One Crisis Center Plaza

Tampa, FL 33613

This event is FREE and lunch will be provided!

To register, click HERE

A Celebration of Life at Beer & Bow Ties

If you stopped by the Cuban Club in Ybor City on the evening of August 25th, you would have found hundreds of people adorned in bow ties, dancing, singing and enjoying as assortment of craft beer at the 3rd Annual Beer & Bow Ties.

Beer & Bow Ties was founded by Kim Randall and Brent Kraus out of passion to help provide resources for suicide prevention and awareness after individually experiencing the loss of a loved one due to suicide. Funds raised benefit suicide prevention programs at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

Keep your eyes open for an announcement pertaining to the total funds raised! Many thanks to Kim, Brent, and the entire Beer & Bow Ties committee for organizing such a great event!

Local Professionals Mix and Mingle at Business Connections

Business professionals from the Tampa Bay area met at Parks Lincoln of Tampa's beautiful new showroom for an evening of cool drinks, great food, and business networking at the Crisis Center's annual Business Connections event on August 17th.

Many thanks to Ron Parks and Terry Mullane for allowing the Crisis Center to host the event at Parks Lincoln, and special thanks to additional event sponsors including Impavid Financial Advisors, The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve, NFM Lending, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, the Tampa Bay Times, and PAR, Inc.

- Check Out These Events! -

SpeakUp5K

Saturday, October 7

9:00am

Al Lopez Park in Tampa

Register as an individual or team HERE

Run or walk, and help local teens who are struggling with depression and anxiety! Be part of the SpeakUp5k on Saturday morning, October 7th at Al Lopez Park in Tampa!

World Suicide Prevention Day Event*

Saturday, October 14

2pm-4:30pm

James A. Haley VA - SCI Dining Room

13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, 33612

*This event was rescheduled from the original date due to Hurricane Irma

Ready. Aim. Donate

Sporting Clay Tournament & BBQ Lunch to Benefit the Crisis Center

Friday, October 27
11:30am- 4pm
Tampa Bay Sporting Clays & Archery
10514 Ehren Cutoff
Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639

Event is organized by "Community Pop". To register as individual or 4-person team, contact Josie Alvarez at 813-385-8772 or [email protected]

Gateway to Healing Tours
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Thursday, September 28

Tuesday, October 10

Thursday, October 26
12pm-1pm

Listen to stories about the people we help. See the facilities where we offer healing to clients. Hear about the urgent needs of the families we serve. Find ways to join us in making a difference in our community.

To learn more and register click HERE

Thank you Corporate Partners!

Thank you Crisis Center of Tampa Bay Funders!