Rays of Hope, along with several community partners will present a special screening of “Suicide The Ripple Effect” at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 at The Bradford Main Street Movie House located at 123 Main Street in Bradford.
With strong endorsements from some of the worlds leading suicide prevention experts this film has screenings planned around the world starting March 13th. “Kevin Hines’ Suicide The Ripple Effect is a marvel of inspiration, a film that should be seen by anyone who has known despair, and anyone who is or has been close to someone in a suicidal crisis.’ Dr. John Draper, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The film chronicles the story of Kevin Hines, who at age 19 attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then Kevin has been on a mission to use his story to help others find recovery and stay alive, and has become the worlds most prominent suicide prevention speaker and advocate. The film also features some of the world’s leading suicide prevention experts and shines light on people who are using personal experiences with suicide to help others find the hope they need to stay alive.
Pennsylvania’s statistics are startling. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Pennsylvania and is the second leading cause for people aged 15 to 34 years old. On average, every 4 hours someone dies by suicide in Pennsylvania.
Suicide The Ripple Effect is using the Gathr Films Theatrical on Demand model in the USA and Fan Force films for International distribution, which allows suicide prevention advocates like Rays of Hope, to bring people together to view this film and discuss the topic. This event will have a tremendous positive impact on reducing the number of suicides and suicide attempts in our community.
Following the screening we will have an important Q&A and panel discussion on the topic that will feature some the areas leading suicide prevention advocates including:
Justin Davis, Peer Support Specialist; Lori Peace, MSW, Social Worker, Bradford Area School District; Martin McCall, SFC, USA (RET) Veteran, United States Army; and Katie Wentworth, MS, NCC, LPC Mental Health Therapist.
This program is presented by Rays of Hope with generous support from The Blaisdell Foundation, American Legion Post #108, McKean County Department of Human Services, Hamlin Bank & Trust Company, Main Street Movie House, The Guidance Center, Bradford Regional Medical Center and other community partners.
Rays of Hope is working to enhance the message of Kevin’s movie by inviting Kevin to speak to groups in our community. We are currently fundraising towards this goal with the hope that Kevin will be here in May 2020, which is Mental Health Month. If you would like to help us in this mission, donations can be sent to:
Rays of Hope
116 Interstate Parkway
Bradford, PA 16701
Across the globe, nearly 1 million people die annually by suicide. In the United States alone there are one million suicide attempts in a given year and over 44,000 deaths by suicide, with our military being hit particularly hard. Research has shown that for every one death by suicide, over 115 people are directly affected and impacted. The estimated financial cost of suicide is over 51 billion dollars annually.
Look for Suicide The Ripple Effect on Facebook.
