BRENTON NEWCOMB
Special to The Leader
The entire month of September is Suicide Prevention Month.
In the spirit of strengthening the fight against suicide and creating awareness, The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention is bringing a free movie screening to Fredonia — co-produced by alum and Afghanistan veteran Theo Collins.
Project 22, a not-for-profit documentary, takes its name from the 22 veterans that commit suicide every day in the United States alone.
The film explores the high rate of veteran suicides in an effort to garner awareness, as well as explore options for alternative therapies for veterans.
The film, which premiered in 2014, was released to the public in 2015 and was an official selection to the 2015 G.I. Film Festival. Since then it has been viewed internationally.
The film, directed by combat veterans, focuses on two combat-wounded veterans that are on a country-wide motorcycle trek spreading hope and awareness to veterans struggling in the everyday world. The trip will feature interviews with military veterans, mental health clinicians and educators and leading researchers with a focus on traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.
Jeannie Galbraith of The Community Allaince For Suicide Prevention said, “Since the movie there’s been a lot of motorcycle runs across the country for suicide prevention.”
These runs not only generate awareness for veterans, but also provide a way for community members to become active in the fight against suicide prevention.
As previously mentioned, the film has a focus on alternative therapy as a method for suicide prevention.
Jeannie Galbraith said, “The film itself is a lot about alternative treatments, that you wouldn’t connect with regular therapy.” These treatments include things like education, sailing, to even things like pottery. Essentially, these alternative treatments are passions that anyone would have and are lastly the things you would think about when you picture therapy.
Not mentioned enough are the loved ones supporting our veterans, and Galbraith said, “Another perspective in the movie is being a Caregiver.”
Veterans who have moved back into civilization often require the attention of loved ones who help them adjust, and it can be very tricky without them. Oftentimes, underlooked are the family members and loved ones that support and take care of veterans in everyday life.
During the day of the screening, Gailbraith will be setting up a day event called “Creating Hope For Suicide Prevention.” The event will take place inside and outside the Williams Center and will feature resource tables and “a ton of activities,” including DIY trail mix, a hope flag, self-care journaling, and a tie-dye station.
To Gailbraith, it is important that everything with the event is local because “Bringing someone who’s nationally known is not going to be helpful for a student that doesn’t know the area” and local outreach is the most effective way for getting someone help.
Collins, a 2012 Fredonia graduate who currently practices law in Pittsburgh, is an executive producer of the film. Collins had tours in Afghanistan during 2010 and 2011 and currently serves on a veterans’ advisory board and clerked for the New York Supreme court. He will be engaged at the event and will be available for discussion after the film.
The movie screening event will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 and will end at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
The event will take place in the Multi-Purpose Room, and there will be refreshments beginning at 4:30 p.m., as well as tables of resources from local mental health and wellness agencies.
Project 22 will begin screening at 5:30 p.m., and following the 90-minute film there will be a panel discussion and time to meet one-on-one with certified counselors. The panel discussion will feature Collins (executive producer), Dawn Samuelson (National Equine Institute of Growth through healing), Rachel Ludwig (LCSW Chautauqua Dept. of Mental Hygiene) and Dr. Rochelle Von Hof (SPOA Coordinator for Children).