The more people that come together to shine a light on suicide, the more the intersection between suicide and mental health comes out of the darkness.
About a dozen people walked through the chill and fog in Colusa on Saturday morning to send a message that suicide is preventable and no one is alone. They walked in memory of Lyndsay Lee Gray, the beautiful 27-year-old sister of Williams resident Julia Ornbaun, who took her own life on June 19, 2020.
The walk was meant to raise awareness and help fund the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and was held in conjunction with Sacramento’s Out of the Darkness virtual walk.
Ornbaun organized the walk to educate the public about suicide and advocate for better mental healthcare services, suicide prevention programs, and services for families who’ve experienced loss through suicide.
Suicide and suicide prevention, Ornbaun said, are not things most people think or even talk about, especially in rural communities, where access to mental health programs are very limited.
“Suicide is something you don’t really know of until it happens,” Ornbaun said. “I wasn’t really an advocate prior. You don’t really notice it until it happens, but I feel being an advocate now will help others in my community, where it’s not really mentioned. And mental health is a big issue around here.”
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., but the second leading cause of death, behind accidents, in teens and younger adults.
Ornbaun said her sister had seemed somewhat depressed over failing health due to Type 1 (juvenile diabetes), and had been dealing with other health issues prior to her committing suicide, but that her suicide came as a horrific shock – and left a terrible void.
“She is my childhood,” Ornbaun said. “After Paradise burned and not having a relationship with our biological dad, she was my childhood…my blood. Not having her here…I miss hearing her voice. I miss her.”
Kelly Lewis, of Williams, and Holley Paine, of Colusa, came together not only to walk in support of Ornbaun, and in memory of Lyndsay, but to raise awareness that, together, the community can advocate for better mental health care, and a system to turn to that would connect anyone having suicidal thoughts to the treatment and support they need.
“I’m a teacher and I know this affects a lot of our kids, especially the last couple of years,” Paine said.
Several of those walking held signs to raise awareness that talking about suicide is no longer taboo, and that resources are available to anyone struggling with mental health issues, physical or psychological pain, anxiety or depression, or are family members concerned about their loved one’s mental state.
“Talk,” Ornbaun said. “Make the call, now that they have a —hotline…It’s there for a reason. They know how to help you.”
To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
“Suicide is preventable,” said Ornbaun, who plans to make the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk in Colusa an annual event.
On Oct. 17, 2021, Pres. Joe Biden signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law to make 9-8-8 the new universal hotline number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 2022. This easy-to-remember number will increase public access to mental health and suicide prevention crisis resources, encourage help-seeking for individuals in need, and is a crucial entry point for establishing a continuum of crisis care, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. ■