Suicide prevention council raises awareness with memorial quilts

By TOM STANKARD

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Bessemer - Pat Gallinagh's life changed when his sister died of suicide in 1967.

Mourning her loss, the Bessemer native wanted to do something to raise awareness of suicide.

Awhile back, Gallinagh said his friend, Anne Tyson, reached out to ask him a question.

Gallinagh said they had something in common, both of them having lost a loved one through suicide. Tyson asked him in 2001 if he wanted to be part of the Lifekeeper Memory Quilt Program.

Through the quilts, Gallinagh said the two of them put a human face on the tragedy of suicide and its devastating toll on families and their communities.

So far, Gallinagh, the current Range Suicide Prevention Council president, said they have made five quilts and are working on a sixth.

Gallinagh said the quilt is a personal and loving memorial and helps save lives. On the quilt, there is a submitted image of a person who committed suicide and personal story to go with it.

Gallinagh said he wants people to see the people on it were "normal people.

"They were like you and me," he said. "Suicide can happen to anyone."

In October, Gallinagh spoke to Gogebic Community College students about suicide prevention. He brought along a few memory quilts.

Pointing at one of the quilts, Gallinagh said every person on it had fought depression for months.

"They fought courageous battles," he said. "They lost their battles with depression, but you don't have to."

Looking at around 30 students, Gallinagh said, "Nobody gets a pass on depression.

"It doesn't matter about your age, nationality or gender. It can happen to anybody," he said.

Gallinagh asked the students if they knew someone who attempted suicide. Several students rose their hands.

To get students better informed, Gallinagh handed out information pamphlets about stopping teenage suicide. The pamphlet says some triggers include interpersonal conflicts with friends and family.

Gallinagh said some symptoms of depression include giving prized possessions away, sleeping or eating disorders, or problems with the law.

If any of the students know someone suffering from depression, Gallinagh said they can intervene.

"Ask them how they are feeling," he said. "Empathize with them and let them know you care."

Gallinagh said the quilts can help prevent suicide, too, by possibly saving a life.

Gallinagh asks if people know somebody who lost somebody to suicide and wants to have them remembered in a "loving and meaningful memorial," they can contact him and be a part of the sixth quilt.

"Everybody is touched by them," he said.