What's Happening with Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and resources in the County?

09/09/2025 34 min Temporada 11 Episodio 104
What's Happening with Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and resources in the County?

Listen "What's Happening with Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and resources in the County? "

Episode Synopsis

Send us a textThe semicolon tattoo on Alnicia Gibson's wrist tells a powerful story - it represents choosing to continue when she could have ended her life. As chair of Montgomery County's Out of the Darkness Community Walk, Gibson transforms her lived experience into action, rallying the community against a crisis that ranks as the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24 in Maryland.This eye-opening conversation reveals the devastating prevalence of suicide in our communities while highlighting Montgomery County's comprehensive response system. Manuel Calero, a therapist with 25 years of experience at the Montgomery County Crisis Center, explains their revolutionary approach to mental health emergencies - a free, 24/7 service that functions like "an ER for people having emotional issues." The episode concludes with Rosalyn Houston from the Montgomery County Volunteer Center highlighting their upcoming "Fall into Service" event, offering a reminder that community connection serves as a powerful antidote to isolation and mental health struggles. Whether you're personally affected by suicide or simply want to support those who are, this episode provides concrete resources, upcoming events, and hope-filled perspectives for anyone navigating these difficult waters.Join the Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk on September 21st at the Adventist Healthcare Soccerplex in Boyds, MD. Registration begins at 9am, with the walk starting at 10am. Your presence matters in bringing this critical issue out of the shadows and into the light.