Parish Council gets behind suicide prevention effort

Jasmin DuBois wants you to know you can make the call that she didn’t.
DuBois, the self-described survivor of a suicide attempt, urged the St. Mary Parish Council on Aug. 27 to get behind 988 Day, a nationwide day to promote awareness of the 988 suicide prevention hotline.
The council agreed, and passed a proclamation making Sept. 8 988 Day in St. Mary.
DuBois is the coalition coordinator for the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority.
“When I made my attempt,” DuBois said, “I knew nothing about this. So for me, it’s very on the heart.”
Calls or texts to 988 are answered by trained counselors.
The Louisiana Department of Health says suicide is the 14th-highest cause of death in Louisiana. Among people 10-34, it’s the third-leading cause.
“When people see their own community members speaking out about mental health and sharing this number, it makes the number more personal, more trusted and more likely to reach someone in need,” DuBois said.
The council passed the proclamation unanimously.
A Light the Night vigil to remember those who have died and those who continue to struggle is planned for 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Lawrence Park.
Also at the Aug. 27 meeting, the council agreed to support the Delta Regional Authority’s grant application for improvements at Kemper Williams Park near Patterson.
The application seeks $1.7 million.
It would be used to install sewage upgrades at RV “rally sites” that handle RVs for which there is no room at a permanent site. Because the rally sites don’t have sewer hookups, RVs have to unhook power and drive to a place where they can empty dark water tanks.
The council also passed resolutions of respect for former Parish Councilman Sterling Fryou, who died July 18; Stephanie Lee Milton of Franklin, who died Aug. 10; and Lorena Gaudet Aucoin, who died Aug. 12 at age 103.