Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative (NSPI) is currently seeking new members to join the committee. The mission of NSPI is to strengthen the community by preventing suicide through connection and compassion. Through education, community partnership, and open dialogue, the committee empowers neighbors to look out for one another and create a safer, more supportive community where no one feels alone. NSPI wants to shatter the stigma associated with suicide.

Through education, outreach, and partnerships, NSPI seeks to build a culture where seeking help is safe, supported, and encouraged. Suicide can feel like an impossible topic to bring up, but silence can cost lives. The more communities speak openly and compassionately, the more community members can help prevent tragedy and support those who are struggling.

Stigmas around mental illness and suicide run deep — the conversations are seen as taboo, a sign of weakness, or a private matter. These misconceptions make it harder for those in crisis to reach out and for loved ones to notice the warning signs. Readers just need to be willing to listen without judgment because Newtown cares.

According to the State of Connecticut, in 2024, there were 391 deaths by suicide. Of those, 300 were males and 91 were females. The age group with the most suicides was 55-59.

NSPI is a member of the Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board, and the initiative collaborates with Newtown Prevention Partnership, Newtown Health District, Newtown Senior Center, Newtown Community Center, and Newtown Rotary Club.

Events NSPI has hosted include QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) training, the Tea @ 3 program, a table at the Health Fair, wrapping the memorial tree on Fairfield Hills Campus in teal and purple ribbons in September for National Suicide Prevention Month, Youth Suicide Prevention and Awareness discussion, The Newtown Bee Youth Suicide Awareness Roundtable, and creating a Newtown Cares video.

NSPI hopes to host more events in the future and is looking for new members to continue this planning. Events and goals NSPI has include hosting more QPR training sessions, creating social media campaigns to promote prevention and shatter stigma, promote 988 (the new suicide and crisis lifeline), find new community partners to collaborate with, update the Newtown Cares video, and more.

Prospective members do not have to be personally affected by suicide to join. Anyone who wants to help make a difference can join the committee.

Maureen Crick Owen and Anna Wiedemann are the co-chairs that have been spearheading Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative since its inception. If interested, contact Crick Owen at 203-733-4562 or newtownspinitiative@gmail.com.