JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- More than a hundred people are expected to light candles in Jacksonville Beach tonight in honor of people who have taken their own lives.
The Florida First Coast Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has organized a candlelight vigil to mark the end of National Suicide Prevention Week.
"We want it to be a healing night for people that have lost loved ones to suicide," explained AFSP Board Member Elizabeth Colavecchio. "When we light the candles, we are going to also be giving the chance to call out the names."
In addition to remembering those lives lost, the group will be educating the community on how to prevent suicides in the future.
"If we can even teach the teenagers and the children the warning signs-that they might notice it in their friends before the family notices it," shared Colavecchio. "[We] want them to know what to do and who to go to for help."
Colavecchio said some of the warning signs include:
- Depression
- Becoming withdrawn
- Using illegal drugs
- Buying a handgun or other means of committing suicide
- Giving away belongings
- Talking about suicide
Tonight's event will be held in Latham Plaza, which is located at the intersection of 1st Street and 1st Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the candle lighting at 7:15 p.m.
First Coast News