Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
(Publication Archives)

Community Connections, Winter 2002/2003

2003 Memory Quilt Project
Reprinted with permission by Mary Jean Coleman, Executive Director the Samaritans Suicide Prevention Center

"Along with ownership
Must come a commitment
To keep life
To remember the lives not kept
And to stay true to the course
Beyond Life on Earth
Which is infinite"
Sandy Martin, The Lifekeeper Foundation
(mother of Tony who died by suicide at age 17)

The Lifekeeper Foundation was formed in 1995 to promote suicide awareness education and prevention through art forms such as jewelry, poetry and the Lifekeeper National Memory Quilt project. The Samaritans are proud to work with the Lifekeeper Foundation as we assemble our 2003 Survivor's Quilt. These quilts display photos and brief messages from family members and serve as a visual image of the huge numbers of suicides which continue to occur each year in the United States.

As a joint effort in suicide prevention, The Samaritans will bring the 2003 NYS Quilt to the Annual National Suicide Awareness Event to be held in Washington, DC (sponsored by SPAN (Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network) The NYS Quilt will be used locally throughout the year to raise awareness. If you have lost a loved one to suicide, or you know of someone who has, please have them contact The Samaritans at (518) 689-0080 for more information about the NYS 2003 Quilt

posted 1/28/03