Yesterday, Episcopal Health Services leadership, behavioral health service providers and team members participated with Patient & Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) members, patients and community members in the Third Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk & Talk in Far Rockaway, NY. The event began with inspiring remarks, helpful tips and community resources in an environment that promoted connection, mental health and suicide prevention awareness. To begin the walk, participants gathered at the St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Community Garden and walked along 19th Street toward the boardwalk and ending at the flagpole.
EHS Vice President of Behavioral Health Tanya Barros said, “The goal is to change the narrative on suicide. So instead of making this something very difficult to talk about, we’re actually normalizing it. So you can literally be walking with a friend and they bring this up, and you can just continue to be human. To listen and hold space for this person. You’re literally walking in a group, and the conversation just flows. You meet people that work here, that live around here, people that use our services, people who are curious about our services, and people who are just supportive of this initiative.”
