By: Joni Hubred-Golden
In 2010, Farmington Hills council members Nancy Bates, Randy Bruce, and Ken Massey met to talk about a startling number of attempted and completed suicides in their city.
Four years later, an organization that grew from that conversation, Farmington SAFE (Suicide Awareness for Everyone), has sponsored six successful community meetings on topics ranging from substance abuse to domestic violence. And council member Ken Massey believes the community-based task force is making some headway.
Actually, he knows it is. Massey said he has heard from five people who told him information from the “community conversations” lead them to get help for a family member in trouble.
“I think we’ve accomplished a lot,” he said. “We’ve increased awareness, there’s no doubt about that. We’re talking about suicide, which is difficult, but we are slowly changing the dialogue in our community.”
More community conversations
Farmington SAFE plans a new season of community conversations on post-traumatic stress disorder, bullying, and other topics, Massey said. SAFE also holds an annual fundraiser at Grand Tavern in Farmington Hills and plans to continue this summer’s community softball game, which drew more than 250 people.
“It’s a community oriented event, people are having fun, but you’re there because you’re dealing with a tough issue,” Massey said.
SAFE activities are funded through the Graham E. Smith Memorial Fund for Suicide Prevention. Ken and his wife, Katherine, launched the foundation after Katherine’s son committed suicide in May of 2011.
The Masseys were very open about Graham’s death. “We learned you have to talk. You have to be out there,” Ken Massey said.
And that’s the Farmington SAFE motto: “Let’s talk about it.” To learn more about the group, visit their Facebook page.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. If you or someone you know needs help with depression or suicidal thoughts, call Common Ground, 1-800-231-1127 or visit commongroundhelps.org.