Parent Magazine Volusia/Flagler June 2019 | Page 6

FROM RANDY DYE ON BEHALF
OF CONNECT4HOPE
having moments of crisis. Halifax Health is leading the
charge in driving awareness for this epidemic, and my
son Daniel and others are pleased to partner with
them to get the word out through our Race to Stop
Suicide platform.
W
e have an epidemic in our midst and it is
related to our health. Not only are people
making some poor physical health decisions, but
some of us are choosing to not think about our level of
mental health at all. In addition, there is a stigma that
we, as a community, must destroy. When someone is
diagnosed with cancer we feel compassion for the
person that they have to go through treatment, we raise
money for support and cancer research. Yet when
someone is diagnosed with a mental health disease,
some sweep it under the rug or whisper to each other.
The ultimate price we pay for not talking about and
treating mental health can be someone taking his
or her life through suicide. Volusia County had 152
known deaths by suicide last year. They say for every
completed suicide there are 250 to 500 more attempts
or contemplations. That is why we need to educate
each other on the resources we have for helping in
those most turbulent moments of crisis and work as a
community to provide more resources to keep from
Since the idea of partnering to destigmatize talk
about mental health and suicide came up, I have
been amazed at how many peoples’ lives have been
touched by this deafening end to a loved one’s life.
I can count on two hands the amount of people who
touched my life and left their life through suicide.
I urge you to educate yourself on the Connect4hope
initiative. The goal is to remember to connect with
yourself on a mental health level. Connect with
someone you can talk to about your feelings. Connect
with someone who needs you and finally, connect with
resources to stop the epidemic. For more information
go to Halifaxhealth.org/connect4hope and start the
conversation with those you love.
Randy Dye,
Randy Dye
Business Owner
Daytona Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Fiat
Randy is a passionate partner in the Connect4hope
initiative. He and son Daniel Dye are spokespeople for
The Race to Stop Suicide through racing.
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