September is suicide prevention month. For people like me who have lost a loved one to depression, this is a meaningful way to honor them – and to support those who are struggling.
“It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most,” The suicide and crisis lifeline says.
“i understand” has been chosen as this year’s nonprofit organization for EGRHS’s Hearts of Gold. Based in Ada Michigan, i understand focuses their work on erasing the stigma over mental health and suicide. Founded by Vonnie Woodrick in 2003 after the loss of her husband, she was inspired to create a supporting community for those grieving, or looking for support regarding mental issues.
“Bringing an understanding to something so difficult to understand has been key,” Vonnie said. “Especially with the creation of the definition petition. Updating the language and views about suicide is very important,”.Along with the language over suicide, it can be hard just to have a conversation about it in general. Vonnie expressed how it was challenging for her and commonly for others to talk about losing loved ones to depression.
“If my children had lost their father to cancer, we would talk about it as a family, go to doctors, and receive lots of help and support,” she said. “We need to do the exact same thing with mental illnesses rather than sweeping them under the rug.”
Vonnie cares deeply about her children and wants them to never be afraid to ask questions. Even the uncomfortable ones. She values their experiences and points of view. So much so that they helped her create three goals to center the company around. Create a community of support, love, and understanding, create awareness about suicide and mental/brain health issues, and help others feel less alone. Three simple goals sum up what the company aims to accomplish. They continue to be achieved, most recently with i understand’s partnership with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
“Specifically bringing the conversation and awareness not just to parents, but children as well in a safe place,” Vonnie said.
Another one of i understand’s major projects was the definition petition. The petition will change the definition of suicide to i understands definition. From the “act of taking one’s own life” to “a side effect to mental/brain illness or pain,”. The petition has had a significant impact, with over 21,000 signatures.
My family has worked with I understand after the loss of my mother in 2018 and I appreciate it when people use thoughtful language. The community as a whole embraced my family and me with unceasing care. Having the awareness that others are going through what you are, and feeling the way you are creates a wonderful form of support. Loss is sad, however, I’ve learned – through organizations like i understand – that there are methods to get through it.
“I like to look at the way my husband lived, not what life could have been like with him now, but when he was living,” Vonnie says.
Anyone who has experienced a loss should find this quote applicable to their own life. I will always remember how my mother lived with a beautiful smile and an amazing laugh.
