Rally helps raise suicide awareness
Mike Timko quietly watched the presentation at Wednesday night's Suicide Remembrance Rally. His voice was nearly as soft as the sound of the fountain in Butler's Diamond Park.
“I'm still rocking,” he said. “I'm a survivor.”
Timko, 35, was among about two dozen people to attend the rally held in honor of Suicide Awareness Week.
Most of those who attended were employed by the county or other organizations that can provide outreach. A few came to remember loved ones who were victims of suicide.
And each of the 22 people who died in Butler County of suicide last year was represented by a pair of shoes set surrounding the fountain.
Timko's black Nikes almost were among them.
“They found me,” he said of a failed hanging attempt in 2011.
Although he was not among the speakers or presenters at the rally, Timko said he hopes that by talking about his experience he might help others. Timko said life often seems overwhelming.
“How many tests can one person take?” he said he asked himself.
Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and abuse from someone he chose not to name, he said he made a first attempt to end his life in the seventh grade. He tried again years later.
After the second try, Timko checked himself into the hospital for nine days and began his road to recovery. He now has a job, a car and sparkling green eyes.
He also was given a Life Recovery Award from Irene Stacy where he sought help and now is employed. Still he said, “every day is a struggle. But I haven't given up.”
With the recent suicide of comedian Robin Williams and the media attention it created, organizers like county mental health director Amy Peters said they were surprised the rally's turnout was lower this year than last year, which was the first year it was held.“But we would do this for just one person if it helped,” said Leslie Johnson, a member of the county's suicide awareness task force. The group's mission is to spread the word of available resources to those considering suicide as well as to survivors.Organizers still are hopeful a suicide awareness walk on Saturday will be well attended. The walk will be at 9 a.m. at the Net Outreach Center, 100 Center Ave. To register, call 724-284-5114.Officials at the rally sent participants away with pamphlets of information, Chrysanthemums to grow at their homes and the knowledge that someone is listening if they care to chat.There is a 24-hour crisis line for people who are considering suicide, or who know someone who is, at 800-292-3866.
