Mrs. Green’s World is a platform that not only educates people about the health of the planet, but also encourages all of us to consider various options to create healthy, sustainable communities. We are proud to partner with Tucson Medical Center, which has been Tucson’s locally governed nonprofit regional hospital for more than 70 years. Because TMC is committed to empowering patients to be active partners in their care and has a robust wellness outreach program, we are sharing TMC’s message. To learn more, please listen to our special podcast series, sponsored by Tucson Medical Center.
Jason Cutting wanted to be in the middle of it all. He loved the arts and entertaining. RENT was his favorite musical, and he knew every word to every song. He put his heart into everything he did, whether crushing a performance in My Fair Lady or advocating for equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation.
Through it all, he struggled long and hard with mental illness. Even though Jason was lost to the disease when he died by suicide, he will always be a brave big brother to his sister, Sarah. She decided not to allow stigma to steal the focus from Jason’s beautiful memory.
Sarah, an Emergency Department nurse at Tucson Medical Center, has actively engaged an effort to eradicate the stigma that surrounds suicide. She has often served as the TMC champion for Tucson’s Out of the Darkness Community Walk, an annual event hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Hard to say, hard to hear
The heart-wrenching loss of suicide – and the stigma around it – make conversations about it difficult.
“I didn’t even know how I was going to talk about it, because I was afraid people would judge, or react with shock or pity,” she said.
Sarah, though, was determined to make a difference and put aside her fears, directly challenging stigma. The open dialogue had an unexpected and positive result. “I found healing in talking about my brother, and I was surprised how many people approached me who have also lost someone to suicide.”
Better understanding, better prevention
Sarah also explained that more discussion brought about a better understanding of suicide.
“When survivors share their experiences, people will hear that suicide is not a selfish act,” she said. “Rather, people hear just how intensely someone was suffering, how they truly felt hopeless and believed they were a burden to all around them.”
Sarah believes that better understanding will lead to action. “With this knowledge, people will be motivated to learn the warning signs and feel more comfortable talking to someone they think may be having suicidal thoughts.”
You can have an impact
The Tucson Out of the Darkness Community Walk is open to all, and free to attend. “This is a way to honor the memories of those we have lost to suicide, and the best way to start discussions and spread awareness,” said Sarah. “Join us!”
2018 Out of the Darkness Community Walk
#OutoftheDarkness
Walk Date: 10/20/2018
Walk Location: Reid Park – Tucson, AZ
Check-in/Registration Time: 10/20/2018 at 8:30 am
Walk Begins: 9:00 am
Walk Ends: 11:00 am
For more information, please contact:
Contact Name: Gina Gillis
Contact Phone: (520) 977-5029
Contact Email: regina_gillis@hotmail.com
September 9 – 15 is National Suicide Prevention Week – reduce the stigma, start a conversation and #StopSuicide.