suicide prevention

Passion to Prevent Suicide

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To the rustling pom poms of the Dryden High School cheerleader squad, more than 250 people raised over $43,000 in the 13th Annual Greater Ithaca Out of the Darkness Walk on September 6 organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Greater Central New York Chapter.

The community walk, amid a drizzle in Lansing’s Myers Park on the edge of Cayuga Lake, is among 400 held across the country every year designed to raise awareness, support survivors of suicide loss, and collect funds for research, training, and educational programming.

Walkers included many people who lost a family member, friend, or colleague to suicide.

Once again L3 Lisa’s Lagomorph Legion was the top fundraising team, collecting $4,527. Team Hope brought in $4,240; Jack’s Pack $1,205; Team Beginnings $940; and 988 Lifeline Legends $735.

To add a donation to AFSP, click here.

Two well-known local mental health advocates shared personal experiences during the event’s opening ceremony.

Samantha Shoemaker, founder of Free HUGS Ithaca, recounted her struggles with deep depression and how it took more than three years before combinations of therapy and medications—which she initially resisted—eased her pain.

“I felt so alone, though my friends were checking on me. The couple times when I was vulnerable enough to share how much pain I was in, nobody asked any questions or made any substantial, non-cliche comments. It was like I didn’t know how to talk about it, and they didn’t know how to address it. I was a burden. Debby downer. I knew depression was kicking my ass,” she said.

Samantha Shoemaker of Free HUGS Ithaca speaks during opening ceremony

Now, Shoemaker said, “I no longer challenge the need for meds and have taken science into full consideration and the fact that the chemistry of my organics works well with specific chemicals, aka meds, that make me feel okay. I have fortunately found the combination of meds that has given my brain enough time to process things in a way that works for me and my life now. I had enough relief in between trials to give me hope to try again. That was the key, trying again. Not giving up.”

“Though I don’t think it will ever go away, living with the dark has made the light so much brighter. Without all the bad, all of this wouldn’t be as appreciated and welcomed with gratitude,” she added.

Darrell Harrington, the founder of Be Kind Ithaca, shared his story of being badly bullied at summer camp and in school, and how anxiety then followed him into adulthood.

He became a rock musician and for 30 years lived his dream, touring the country with amazing bands, performing before thousands of spectators, appearing in independent films, and meeting many of his rock idols.

Yet he regularly felt nauseous with his heart racing for no apparent reason, and experienced a lack of motivation, exhaustion, and a very short temper. After several years of worrying that he was having heart attacks he had many tests done but doctors could find nothing physically wrong.

Be Kind Ithaca’s Darrell Harrington shares his story about anxiety

“About 13 years ago, my band mate and great friend Mikey suggested that I should go see a therapist,” he said. “I thought he was out of his mind. I’m tough and strong, and fine. Why should I go to a therapist?”

Harrington began seeing a therapist, who helped him explore unresolved issues from being bullied years earlier. Meanwhile, his primary care physician prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Yet he seemed to get worse. So much so, that he eventually started thinking of a way to end his own life.

One night he finally revealed the full depth of his pain to his wife, Jacque, who helped him put a plan into action. His therapist diagnosed severe anxiety disorder and suggested he seek further help at Tompkins County Mental Health Services.

“Thank God I went. I had some of the best therapists and psychologists help me throughout the years. And at this point I am proud to say that I am controlling my anxiety and it is not controlling me. I do have days, and they are not easy. But I have the tools and the knowledge to know how to handle them,” Harrington said.

“I’m not sure what would have happened if I didn’t wake Jaqcue up and tell her everything that night. If you are suffering, please, please, please, reach out to someone. I know it’s hard. I really know how hard it is. But there is help out there for you and there are many amazing people that want to help you.”

Harrington ended by sharing a quote that Jacque gave him to remember if he is having a tough time: “Always remember, you are braver than you think, stronger than you seem, and loved more than you know.”

Walk committee member Emily Georgia closed the ceremony singing “Better Days,” by Irish performer and song writer Dermot Kennedy.

“Together we strive to be the difference in our community, together we will save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Walk Chair Crystal Howser. “We are sending the message to others that they are not alone. If I can save one life, save one family from the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. I am making a difference. Gratitude to everyone who helps make this walk so successful.” 

AFSP Organizers Stacy Ayres and Crystal Howser

The 2025 Greater Ithaca Out of the Darkness Walk was sponsored by:

The Strebel Planning Group’s Fund for Community Enrichment; Borgwarner; Mirabito Energy Products; Mirabito Cares; Visions Federal Credit Union; Solomon Organization; Lansing Funeral Home; Triad Foundation; Beginnings Credit Union, Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County; Guthrie; Wildlife Resolutions; CSP Management; 23 North Restaurant & Bar/Pizza & Bones; Cayuga Health; True Insurance; Tioga State Bank Foundation.

Please, Don’t Ignore Signs of Suicide

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So many people struggle with a mental illness in silence. Suicidal thoughts are actually not that uncommon. But people who experience them are too often ashamed or embarrassed to speak about it. Or some figure, “I can handle it,” and put on a happy face. Loved ones or friends may be concerned about someone’s well-being. But stigma prevents them from asking if they are thinking of harming themselves.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to spread greater awareness about suicide and support those who may be struggling.

Suicide is preventable, and researchers and practitioners have made important strides in the past 20 years to improve way to assess suicidality and provide treatment for the condition.

The Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition is urging local healthcare and behavioral health providers to adopt a framework of best practices known as the Zero Suicide Model.

This involves better screening tools for identifying people at risk of suicide. When suicidal ideation is a concern, Zero Suicide calls for creating safety plans to deescalate a suicidal crisis and lethal means counseling to ensure that weapons or medications are kept at a safe distance. Suicide-specific treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Another major advance is the introduction in 2022 of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. You can also call 988 if you are concerned about a loved one, friend, or colleague. Veterans and/or their loved ones and friends can call 988 and then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line

Locally, 988 calls go to the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County (SPCS), one of 200 call centers across the country.

When people call or text 988, or connect to chat online, they connect to trained counselors that are part of the Lifeline network. They listen, understand how the caller’s problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

SPCS maintains a “warm line” for people who are not in crisis yet may be feeling lonely and need someone to talk to without judgement. The Ithaca Warm Line number is (607) 210 8328.

SPCS also operates Ithaca LGBTQ+ Peer Support, designed to be a safe space to engage in casual conversations, share experiences, or get support for crisis situations or thoughts of suicide. The Ithaca LGBTQ+ Peer Support number is (607) 276 1771.

The Lifeline is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health. SAMSHA provides a Partner Toolkit to help promote the 988 number and other suicide prevention services.

According to the 988 administrator, numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor. 

Take a moment to review the warning signs for suicide, as provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Be sure to get help for yourself or others if you see the signs. You may save a life.

According to AFSP, something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Warning sign: Talk

If a person talks about:

Killing themselves

Feeling hopeless

Having no reason to live

Being a burden to others

Feeling trapped

Unbearable pain

Warning sign: Behavior

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods

Withdrawing from activities

Isolating from family and friends

Sleeping too much or too little

Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Giving away prized possessions

Aggression

Fatigue

Warning sign: Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression

Anxiety

Loss of interest

Irritability

Humiliation/Shame

Agitation/Anger

Relief/Sudden Improvement

For local, state, and national resources, visit The Sophie Fund’s suicide prevention page.

Need an Ithaca-Area Therapist? Here’s Help for That!

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As the days grow shorter and that familiar crispness returns to the air, life in the Ithaca area begins to shift. College students flood back into town—some for the first time, some returning after summer break—and the rhythm of the community changes almost overnight.

For therapists in Ithaca and environs, this time of year always marks an uptick in calls and emails. Whether it’s a college student navigating the transition to campus life or a longtime resident facing new challenges, many people start thinking: Maybe it’s time to talk to someone.

The Ithaca Region Therapist Group (IRTG) is here to help.

IRTG is a network for therapists and mental health professionals in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes Region to connect and share resources. We have now launched a new website at www.irtg.org, designed to connect people in the Ithaca area with trusted local mental health professionals.

The website is a one-stop resource for finding support whether you’re in a moment of crisis or simply ready to prioritize your mental well-being.

What started back in 2005 as a small circle of local therapists gathering in each other’s living rooms has grown into a robust, collaborative network.

Over the years, our group steadily evolved to better meet the needs of the community. Our internal therapist listserv now boasts nearly 600 members, averaging around 150 posts per month and serving as a valuable resource for the therapy community.

With the creation of the new website, our group has expanded its vision and reach—reflected in a name change from the Ithaca Therapist Group to the Ithaca Region Therapist Group.

The website offers:

 —A searchable therapist directory to find local private practice therapists by specialty, treatment approach, and availability. The search can be filtered to show therapists who are accepting new clients.

—A Spotlight series featuring local therapists discussing their personal backgrounds and approaches to supporting clients.

—Curated listings of national, state, and local crisis hotline and other support resources; including separate pages for Tompkins, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Seneca, Schuyler, and Tioga counties.

—An Upcoming Events calendar featuring support groups, wellness workshops, and educational offerings.

—A portal for the network’s therapists to stay connected with each other and informed through shared resources and updates.

—By Tamie Pushlar

Tamie Pushlar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Ithaca and a member of the Ithaca Region Therapist Group Leadership Team

Way to Go, Claire and Bridgette!

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Claire de Boer and Bridgette Hobart swam ashore at Harris Park Beach Saturday afternoon, completing an epic marathon relay the 38-mile length of Cayuga Lake to the whoops and cheers of family, friends, and supporters.

Claire de Boer and Bridgette Hobart completing their marathon swim in Cayuga NY

The swimmers at times fought three-foot swells and 20 mph winds that dropped air temperatures into the 50s, but they persevered for 19 hours and 32 minutes to reach their destination after starting from Allan H. Treman State Marine Park in Ithaca Friday evening.

“We had a rough night, with some really strong gusts behind us,” said Hobart, 62. “But I actually felt pretty good most of the way.”

Agreed de Boer, 65: “I felt good the whole time. But it was challenging. Even though it was a southerly wind pushing us, the waves with the whitecaps were so big that you surge forward on it and then it pulls you back.”

Marathoners before starting their swim from Allan H. Treman State Marine Park in Ithaca, NY

At one point the rough waters forced the swimmers to deviate their route and navigate along the shoreline for protection. Even though the waves added some extra clock, their eventual time bested the 20-hour solo swims that de Boer and Hobart accomplished on Cayuga Lake in 1984 and 2015, respectively. The women are two of only four swimmers who have officially completed end-to-end solo swims on the lake.

Kayakers Bob Janeczko and Sharon Gunderson pulled off their own marathon, accompanying Hobart and de Boer every mile of the watery way. The swimmers were also supported by a pontoon escort boat, piloted by Russ Perrin and Jeff Spangler, on which Hobart and de Boer rested and hydrated during their one-hour intervals out of the water.

De Boer hands off to relay partner Hobart on Cayuga Lake north of Union Springs

Linda Annable served as the official observer, staying awake for 19-plus hours to provide the frequent documentation required by the Marathon Swimmers Federation (MSF) to register the swim.

The swim followed rules set down by the MSF, which allow no wetsuit or buoyancy devices and require an hourly scheduled change of swimmer that must take place in the water.

Apart from their high-five relay handoffs, the swimmers had no communication with each other until they walked ashore on Harris Park Beach and hugged.

One of the supporters cheering on the Cayuga Swim for Mental Health was Roy Staley, swimming coach at Ithaca High School from 1968-2014, who guided de Boer on her solo swim on Cayuga Lake 41 years ago.

“For people of their age, it was a remarkable statement of their willingness to commit to something like that and their ability to manifest it and achieve it,” said Staley. “I have a lot of pride and admiration for both of them. Claire tries to do things that could be a benefit to somebody else. She’s always reaching beyond herself. That enhances my admiration for what she and Bridgette did.”

Among those greeting the swimmers with flower bouquets was Rachael DeWitt, 31, who completed her own 16-mile solo swim of Skaneateles Lake on July 22 with guidance and support from Hobart and de Boer.

“I was honored to witness Claire and Bridgette’s impressive swim,” she said. “They are open water swimming royalty. They gave me the courage and confidence to believe in myself in being able to complete my swim. They are the epitome of women supporting women and the embodiment of mental strength, stamina, and encouragement. I will always idolize them as swimmers and mentors.”

Well-wishers cheering on the swimmers at Harris Park

Despite the challenges, Hobart and de Boer were awed by the natural beauty of the Sturgeon moon that appeared in the sky shortly after starting in Ithaca and a glorious sunrise shortly after 6 a.m.

“The moon rose over us, and it was so pink and so bright,” de Boer recalled. “That moon illuminated our path all night. It was beautiful, and I just kept thinking, ‘Hold on to this moment.’”

Cayuga Swim for Mental Health was a fundraiser to benefit The Sophie Fund, a nonprofit that supports mental health initiatives aiding young people in the Ithaca area.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE FUNDRAISER

Both women dedicated the swim to young nephews who died by suicide, Rowan de Boer and Corey Hobart, whose parents were on hand to see the finish.

De Boer said that when she plunged into the lake from the Treman marina, she worried that she might not make it to Harris Park. “A couple hours in, I felt like there was no option. We’re gonna do this.”

Hobart said that unlike other long-distance swimmers, who listen to music or count strokes to break the monotony, she tends to daydream. “This one, I actually reflected a lot,” she said. “This was a tough swim for me emotionally. It’s been a tough swim, but it’s been healing, too.”

Hobart and de Boer dedicated the swim to their nephews, Corey and Rowan

For the last leg of their marathon Hobart and de Boer donned cupcake-themed swimsuits, a surprise gesture to The Sophie Fund whose annual awareness raising event is a popular cupcake baking contest. Hobart also baked eight dozen cupcakes for an impromptu post-swim picnic with the gathering.

Hobart and de Boer with The Sophie Fund Co-Founders

Scott MacLeod and Susan Hack, co-founders of The Sophie Fund, among the well-wishers to send off Hobart and de Boer in Ithaca and welcome them in Cayuga, expressed gratitude to the swimmers for their support.

“Besides being incredible athletes, Claire and Bridgette are humanitarians in their everyday lives who work to make the world a better place,” they said. “Their Cayuga Swim for Mental Health will have a tangible impact on the work to improve mental health supports in the greater Ithaca community. We are profoundly touched that they would dedicate this historic Cayuga Lake swim to young nephews they each tragically lost to suicide.”

As of August 11, the fundraiser had received $21,384.37 from 149 donors, just short of the $25,000 goal. To donate, go to: https://donorbox.org/cayuga-swim-for-mental-health

Cupcake caps and swimsuits

Marathon crew and supporters

Bridgette Hobart’s cupcakes

De Boer’s childhood friend Tim Marchell sporting a vintage t-shirt from her 1984 solo swim

If you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.

Support The Sophie Fund: Our 2025 Donor Appeal

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We mark Sophie’s birthday every August with our annual fundraising appeal.

This year we are suggesting something a little bit different: Consider a donation to the Cayuga Swim for Mental Health, a community fundraiser to benefit The Sophie Fund.

In 2024, we were approached by two remarkable women, veteran marathon swimmers (one of them has done the English Channel), announcing their plan for a joint swim the entire 38-mile length of Cayuga Lake. They set the date for August 8-9, 2025

Claire de Boer and Bridgette Hobart have both lost young nephews to suicide, Rowan and Corey, and proposed using this swim in their memory to collect donations for The Sophie Fund.

Claire de Boer and Bridgette Hobart at Cayuga Lake (Credit: Alex Bayer/Cornell University)

Read about their remarkable aquatic achievements and passion for supporting suicide prevention in the Cornell Chronicle.

Please consider a donation today to the Cayuga Swim for Mental Health to support The Sophie Fund’s work aiding the mental health of young people in the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities.

To Make a Donation:

Click Here for the Cayuga Swim for Mental Health

(Direct donations to The Sophie Fund, at THIS LINK, are always welcome, of course.)

100% of donations go directly toward the grants we provide to mental health providers and community organizations for training and programming; and to our modest operating costs.

Although Sophie was never a marathoner, she was a happy early swimmer: here she is, age 2, plunging into a pool in South Africa where was was born in 1992.

The Sophie Fund’s current goals in need of funding include:

—Suicide prevention training for physicians, clinicians, and social workers.

—Hosting a forum introducing the Zero Suicide Model to Tompkins County primary care practices.

—Publishing local mental health guides: Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County; A Parent’s Guide to College Student Mental Health; A Student’s Guide to College Student Mental Health; and Bullying Prevention Resources for Schools and Families in Tompkins County.

—Tompkins County’s “United in Kindness” community events in October for National Bullying Prevention Month, organized by the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force which The Sophie Fund coordinates.

—Hosting our 10th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest on October 18 to raise awareness about mental health challenges and supports; this year’s event will include a one-hour presentation by the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Some of The Sophie Fund’s recent activities:

Tompkins County Suicide Care Pathway. As coordinator of the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s Healthcare Work Group, we moderated a roundtable of healthcare leaders on April 23 to map the suicide care pathway in the county. Twenty leaders from 13 organizations representing hospitals, campus health centers, primary care practices, behavioral health clinics, crisis responders, emergency departments, and inpatient units participated in the initiative.

Cupcake Button Campaign. Our 2024 “Cupcake Button” fundraising campaign with Cornell University student organizations collected $1,055.00 for the Ithaca Free Clinic. The clinic provides medical and other health services to clients regardless of their ability to pay. Participating groups included Cornell Circle K; Pre-Professional Association Towards Careers in Health (PATCH); Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Chapter; and Cornell Minds Matter.

Sexual Assault Awareness. The Cornell University student organization RISEUP and The Sophie Fund launched a social media campaign in April to promote Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Together we created and posted infographics on our platforms about resources to contact for help, behaviors to recognize, plans of action, general statistics about sexual assault, and more.

Suicide Prevention Training. For the fourth year in a row, we sponsored the participation of Tompkins County healthcare professionals in a two-day online suicide prevention training featuring some of the nation’s leading experts. “Suicide Safer Care in Clinical Practice,” organized by The Wellness Institute, took place on March 19-20. The training covered treating youth suicidality, lethal means counseling, brief interventions, treatment pathways, and other topics. Since 2022, The Sophie Fund has now provided free suicide prevention training through The Wellness Institute for more than 200 clinicians in Tompkins County, including the counseling center staffs of Cornell University and Ithaca College.

Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County. This is a guide to local resources, training opportunities, and toolkits for strategic planning for student mental health and suicide prevention. The guide was developed by The Sophie Fund, Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County, National Alliance on Mental Illness Finger Lakes, Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York.

5 Simple Steps. The Sophie Fund partnered with local organizations to design a self-help pocket guide for navigating a mental health crisis. It is based on the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention. NAMI Finger Lakes received a grant to print 1,000 copies of the guide in sticker format so be posted in school bathrooms etc.

Bullying Prevention Task Force. In our capacity as coordinator of the task force, we participated in seven meetings of a group at South Hill Elementary School working on a bullying prevention strategy for the 2025-26 school year.

Better Together for Mental Health. The Sophie Fund was a co-sponsor again in May 2025 of the annual mental health festival in Stewart Park. We provided funds for the Family Activities Pavilion, which hosted children-focused activities including story-telling, crafts, and games. The Family Reading Partnership gave away free copies of the illustrated children’s book “How Starling Got his Speckles,” also with sponsorship from The Sophie Fund.

Walks for Mental Health. We participated and provided an information tables at the fundraising walks in Spring 2025: NAMI Finger Lakes walk in Stewart Park and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention campus walk at Cornell University.

The Sophie Fund was established in 2016 as a nonprofit advocacy organization supporting mental health initiatives aiding young people in the Ithaca area. We are a member of the New York State Suicide Prevention Council, and recipient of several honors: 2018 New York State Excellence in Suicide Prevention Award; 2023 MHANYS Friend of MHA Award; 2024 Agda Osborn Award; and 2024 James J. Byrnes Award for Excellence.