'Making a difference': Local events provide help as part of Suicide Prevention Month

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — Two Northeast Ohio events looked to raise awareness and provide mental health resources Saturday, as September is Suicide Prevention Month.

In Lake County, the 4th annual Jeff Kirkner Memorial Kickball Tournament took place.

Kirker is a former Eastlake Fire lieutenant who died by suicide four years ago. The tournament raises money to provide mental health resources to first responders.

“It’s humbling to see all the people coming out today to represent Lake County, our local first responders. It’s humbling to keep Jeff in our hearts and our minds, and making a difference even though he’s not here with us today,” Christina Kirkner said.

Last year, the event raised more than $12,000. This year they had 16 teams playing.

Another suicide awareness event was held in downtown Cleveland at Lounges Content Studio. It was a day party and cookout. It was hosted by Laura Meyer, owner of ConfiDance Cleveland.

Meyer told Fox 8 she lost her best friend to suicide a few years ago and has battled depression herself. She sees suicide awareness and prevention as a cause worth championing.

“For some people, mental health resources are easily accessible, but for a lot of people they’re not, and unfortunately, for some people mental health care is a luxury and it shouldn’t be,” she said.

The event featured music and food, but also had multiple vendors with varying resources on hand. One of the vendors was from veterans affairs.

“I really wanted to create a space that was really accessible and fun and kind of suck the scary out of a really heavy topic,” Myer explained.

A large portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Life Is Better With You Here.

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Rex Smith

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