Please join Black Lives Matter Chicago and UMedics for the #MarcieJGerald #SayHerName September suic
Please join Black Lives Matter Chicago and UMedics for the #MarcieJGerald #SayHerName September suicide prevention month event at the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. We have been asked by the Gerald family to assist in their efforts to raise money. As a result, we are amplifying Marcie’s story in order to support her grieving family in their time of need.We are organizing this event to honor Marcie and to raise $2,500 for her headstone. Please donate to place a headstone on the grave of beloved Marcie J. Gerald. We want to create a loving safe space in her name and have a panel discussion with therapist and psychologist around depression, suicide prevention, mental health care in the black community, toxic masculinity/misogyny, access to mental health care resources, trauma and healing.Joining us to hold this space and share their expertise will be Dominica McBride Chaka Holley Dr. Obari Adéye Cartman Erika J. Kendrick.There will also be a workshop around communal healing, effective therapy and self care by Olivia Blocker .“It is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and we will be hosting an event to honor the life of #MarcieJGerald on September 30th.I will be facilitating an interactive workshop to bring awareness and support to those struggling with the effects of trauma and depression in the aftermath of an event that triggers suicidal ideation. We want to support our fellow brothers and sisters who continue to fight for their lives and raise our collective knowledge about how we can heal and uplift. Please join us and support this family as they continue to work to empower those impacted by suicide. Let us remember those who are grieving and support actions that heal and restore.”Marcie J. Gerald was raped at the age of 14. Most cases of sexual assault (98%) are never brought to trial. Based on DNA recovered from the rape kit Marcie underwent after the sexual assault, the rapist was able to be identified and consequently brought to trial. As is a very common consequence of sexual assault trials, Marcie was severely triggered. Her rapist winked at her in the court room and repeatedly made comments about how pretty she was. As a result, during the trial, Marcie would come home and cut herself after hearing her attacker’s testimony. As a result of Marcie’s increased self-harm and further traumatization, her family moved to quickly end the trial. On July 19, 2015 Marcie succumbed to suicide.“Shel E KeyLessMarcie’s mother wrote, "Since Marcie’s death, I’ve experienced an array of emotions from angry to sad. It’s something I will never get over. My baby was only 15, but my reality is that she will never graduate from high school, she will never go to college, and she will never get married. I think about it every day.” Elizabeth Gerald TFAs September is suicide prevention month, we share this important information:The annual age-adjusted suicide rate is 12.93 per 100,000 individuals.Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women.On average, there are 117 suicides per day.Firearms account for almost 50% of all suicidesThe rate of Black youth committing suicide has never been higher. A 2015 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that for the first time, the suicide rate of Black children in between the ages of 5 and 11 had doubled between 1993 and 2013 — while the rate among white children had declined. Suicides by hanging nearly tripled among Black boys in particular. Read more HERE.As Marcie experienced sexual assault, please also reference these important statistics:94% of women who are raped experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the two weeks following the rape.30% of women report PTSD symptoms 9 months after the rape.33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide.13% of women who are raped attempt suicide.Approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime.Please share Marcie’s story and please donate if you are financially able.If you or a loved one are struggling with suicide or sexual assault, please call the hotlines listed below and seek help.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline National Sexual Assault HotlineAvailable 24 hours everyday Available 24 hours everydayCall 1-800-273-8255 Call 1-800-656-4673If you are in the Chicago area, please feel free to come to a fundraising event that we are holding with Marcie’s family on September 30th.Friday, September 3oth (6-10pm)National Adolph Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum10406 S. Maryland Ave(Entrance on 104th Street Between Corliss & Maryland Ave) -- source link
#suicideprevention#sexualassaultprevention