Comm. Covey, friend and family of C. Oligschlaeger and me
The site is intended to assist the citizens of the county in finding resources for treatment of mental illness and is funded by a grant the county received from the Texas Health Institute. The site was created by the county’s Information Technology department with assistance from Connie Watson, manager of public affairs and Annie Burwell, director of the Mobile Outreach Team. The ceremony was held in conjunction with observation of the upcoming National Suicide Prevention Week, which is Sept. 6-12.
At the ceremony to officially unveil the website, Commissioner Valerie Covey served as the master of ceremonies and several speakers gave presentations regarding suicide prevention. Eric Oligschlaeger, a resident of Williamson County, spoke about his son, Chad, who committed suicide while serving as a US Marine. Chad suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). Mr. Oligschlaeger said that he and Chad’s other family members and friends were glad to be able to support the website and other efforts to help others with PTSD so that military members and veterans can get the help they need. They have started a foundation for that purpose. Dr. Mark Janes, chief medical officer of Bluebonnet Trails Mental Health and Mental Retardation, spoke of a teenage girl he assisted who had gotten the help she needed after a suicide attempt. District Attorney John Bradley spoke of how the community had come together to assist with a mentally ill man from Taylor who was recently convicted of a felony. Annie Burwell and I then gave a brief demonstration of the website.
Following the ceremony, Connie Watson distributed cards from the organization, Hope is in the Cards, whose aim is to spread hope by having folks send cards of encouragement to someone they know. Founded by Russ Haan, a small business owner, who decided after feeling down one day, to try to spread hope throughout our nation, so he started a website and non-profit group to send cards to those who need boost in morale. Many of the cards used at the website launch had sayings such as, “Look on the bright side!” and “Dream Big!” and so forth.
According to the county’s press release, “Suicide Prevention Week is a national event to raise awareness about suicide and suicidal behaviors and to celebrate the efforts of all who are working to prevent suicide. According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in America, with an average of one suicide occurring every 15.8 minutes. In addition, suicide rates typically increase in times of war and economic crisis. Suicide occurs across all ethnic, economic, social and age boundaries. Approximately 811,000 Americans attempt suicide each year and an estimated 5 million Americans are survivors of the suicide of a friend, family member or loved one.”
For more info:
On the Cpl. Chad Oligschlaeger Foundation on PTSD-www.cplchado.org/
On the Hope is in the Cards movement, go to www.hopeisinthecards.org/
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