Community members from all over the area are encouraged to attend the upcoming screening of My Ascension, a documentary film that is spreading hope and fighting suicide on Wednesday at the Robert Lee Scharmann Theatre located on the Jamestown campus of Jamestown Community College. The event, co-hosted by JCC and the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, will be starting at 6 p.m. and is free of charge for attendees.

A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope and shine more light on the fact that 20 young people die every day by suicide in the United States. My Ascension is a feature length documentary that chronicles Emma’s inspiring journey and quest to walk again as she works to bring Hope Squad, a school-based suicide prevention program, to Louisiana. The film also highlights the stories of two remarkable young people who tragically did not survive their attempts and we learn first-hand from their families, friends, school officials and suicide prevention experts about the devastating effects of suicide and what can be done to prevent it.

The 10th annual Jamestown Out of the Darkness Walk, also hosted by the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Jackson Taylor Park in Jamestown. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide by 20 percent by the year 2025.

This walk is one of hundreds held in cities across the country that are the core of the Out of the Darkness movement, which began in 2004. These events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost. You can pre-register for this year’s walk at https://supporting.afsp.org or on the Out of the Darkness Walk-Jamestown, NY Facebook event page.

Lastly, the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County thanks all of those who participated in and supported the 9th Annual Raynor Memorial Golf Tournament that was held on September 11, 2021 at the Maplehurst Country Club. There were 140 golfers and volunteers who attended the event that honored the memory of Danny Raynor, who lost his life to suicide in 2007. The event drew over 30 sponsors including premium contributors, Raynor Liquors, Whizz-n-Smash and Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant 775.

“We had beautiful weather and everyone had a wonderful time supporting an important cause,” said Carri Raynor, event organizer and Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County Coordinator. “$8,000 was raised this year, which will be donated to the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and to local families who may need some assistance after the loss of a loved one to suicide.”

For more information about the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, visit its website: www.preventsuicidechq.com or follow it on Facebook and Instagram @preventsuicidechq. Learn more about American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you are experiencing a crisis, contact the 24/7 Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-724-0461, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

For Mobile Crisis Services in Chautauqua County, please call 1-800-724-0461, Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.