Vanya Fagasa is chair of the “Out of the Darkness” community walk to fight suicide this weekend in Waimea.
But this is about more than being an organizer. This is personal.
Her nephew committed suicide about 10 years ago. And she has known other youth who have taken their own lives.
“They think there’s no place to turn,” she said. “A lot of them think that’s the only way out.”
Fagasa wants to change that and it has to start with everyone realizing they can make a difference — even something as simple as asking others how they’re doing. Or something as simple as friends listening to friends, and parents listening to their children.
“We don’t have sit down dinners any more, and if we do, everybody has this,” she said, motioning as if holding a cell phone. “We gotta stop. we got to stop. Take the cell phone away. Sit down, talk to each other. Communicate. That’s one of the main things.”
Adults can get so busy working, paying bills, the stress of daily life, they don’t always have time for their kids, Fagasa said. But they should make their kids their priority.
“Listen to your children,” she said.
Kauai’s Out of the Darkness walk takes place at Waimea Canyon softball field from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Last year, about 200 people turned out and organizers are hoping for more this year.
It will include a resource fair, where people can get contacts and suicide prevention information, along with music and some short testimonies from those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
The highlight will be the walk around the field.
There are over 400 Community Walks taking place across the country this fall with nearly a quarter of a million people participating, each contributing their voices to support research and education that saves lives
“Suicide is preventable,” Fagasa said.
People are encouraged to come out Saturday, join the walk and make a donation.
Five years ago, in 2012, Kauai reported 11 suicide deaths; fewer than five in 2013; 15 in 2014; 15 in 2015, and 11 last year — an average of 11 instances per year before 2017. In the same five-year period, Hawaii Island averaged 35 suicides per year, Maui had 24 and Oahu had 107, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.
Last year, Kauai had more than 20 suicide deaths.
According to Prevent Suicide, Hawaii has 201 suicide deaths last year. Suicide is the leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24, and second for ages 25 to 34. Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in Hawaii, according to preventsuicidekauai.org
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and suicide rates increased in nearly every state from 1999 through 2016. There were nearly 45,000 suicides in the U.S. in 2016.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has set a goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.
Fagasa worries it could get worse if everyone doesn’t step up and take a role.
“We have to do something,” she said.
The Out of the Darkness walk — about healing and hope — is a good start.
“It’s rewarding,” she said of being event chair along with Tracey Camara. “I have chicken skin.”
She hopes people understand that suicide leaves broken families behind. She wants everyone, young and old, to know that no matter what problems they face, there are others who care about them.
“That’s one of the major things, that you’re not alone,” she said.
