Local Woman Discusses Personal Connection to Suicide Prevention Week

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Photo via the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s website.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) recognizes the week of Sept. 9-15 as “Suicide Prevention Week”. For one Oxonian, the prevention campaign hits close to home and has inspired her to use her birthday as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the AFSP.

Chase Caldwell, a 2012 graduate of Oxford High School, used her 25th birthday as an opportunity to spread awareness for the organization. She said she connects personally to prevention efforts due to her many suicide attempts, along with self harm.

“I’ve struggled my entire life with suicidal ideation,” she said.

A life filled with suicidal thoughts and attempts, Caldwell said she had her last suicidal attempt just a few days before her birthday last year. Turning a new leaf, she decided to use the situation as an opportunity as a tool in the battle against suicide, along with the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it.

“I felt so alone, and getting involved with suicide prevention has been incredible,” Caldwell said. “So many people get in touch with me just to talk.”

There is currently no proven source to suicide; however, “it most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition,” according to the AFSP.

Caldwell said one of the most major misconceptions of suicide involve words like “cop out” and “selfish,” to name a few.

“[People] have no idea how hard it is to battle these horrible thoughts that are just eating at your brain,” she said. “For people with suicidal ideation, ending life feels right.”

Photo via the AFSP website.

On the night of Caldwell’s last attempt, her youngest sister walked through the door just in time.

“She just held me until I fell asleep,” she said.

In those moments Caldwell realized if she chose to end her life she wouldn’t only be taking her life, but she would be hurting her loved ones as well. She said she never wanted anyone to be that worried about her again.

“It was that moment I wanted to save everyone else,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell is using the donation option on Facebook as way to raise funds while using #StopSuicide for her campaign.

When she originally planned the fundraiser a week before her birthday, she set the goal of $200. She raised that amount in 16 hours. Caldwell was shell shocked when the fundraiser garnished such an amount that she decided to up it to $400.

“I was expecting much more,” Caldwell said. “I wasn’t expecting the initial amount.”

As the night of her birthday came to a close, Caldwell successfully raised $570 for the AFSP.

Photo via Chase Caldwell’s fundraiser page.

Caldwell said her best advice for those who are contemplating ending their lives should look to someone who is also facing the same situations.

“You are loved even on your darkest days,” Caldwell said.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website for more information.