2019 Awareness Day Final Report 2019_ADay_FinaReport_FINAL_pages | Page 8

ABOVE: Justin Womack shares his personal experiences with suicide prevention and Project Connect 2.0 at
SAMHSA’s Awareness Day event in Washington, DC.
PROJECT CONNECT 2.0
Project Connect 2.0 is a system of care in Illinois that works in tandem with the
Egyptian Health Department and its Suicide Prevention Committee. In recent years,
the Committee has hosted community forums, provided on-site support after a
suicide, organized events for World Suicide Prevention Day and National Suicide
Prevention Month in September, and more.
Family member Debbie Shroyer and young adult Justin Womack came to this
system of care in different ways, but both found the help and hope that they and
their families needed.
“Without these services, it may
not have ended this way. My
entire family, especially our
daughter, is so thankful for
each one of these people and
their services. They saved our
daughter’s life.”
— DEBBIE SHROYER
Family Leader, Project Connect 2.0
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At the Awareness Day event, Shroyer explained that her daughter had experienced
bullying, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. After hearing about Project
Connect’s suicide prevention efforts, Shroyer reached out to the Egyptian Health
Department to help her daughter receive the counseling and support she needed.
Also at the event, 19-year-old Justin Womack shared his own experiences with
trauma, suicidal thoughts, and a suicide attempt.
“When I started having suicidal thoughts, I thought no one understood what I was
going through,” Womack recalled. “I didn’t think anybody cared. I didn’t want to tell
anybody because I didn’t know how they would react. So, I kept it to myself.”
A school guidance counselor connected Womack to a counselor from the Egyptian
Health Department, who met with Womack both at home and at school.
“I learned that it was OK to ask for help. Being involved in mental health services
helped me in many ways. I found out I was able to trust and talk to someone,” he
continued.
2019