by Jan Shields
Approximately 200 people took to the streets Sunday evening in a candlelight walk to raise awareness about depression and suicide and provide comfort to those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
The walk was spearheaded by two families who have turned their grief after losing teen aged sons to suicide into a campaign to prevent others from suffering the loss they have endured.
Dee Sweeney, whose son Joseph took his own life in March 2010, came to the walk with boxes of material to pass out on suicide prevention while volunteers from the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition, which helped to organize the walk, passed out candles and collected donations to be used to further the cause.
Sweeney’s advocacy is not a one day a year effort. She distributes materials on suicide prevention to area doctors’s offices and talks with school officials, encouraging more programs to increase teacher awareness about teen suicides, according to her husband Jules Sweeney.
Jules Sweeney said he had no hints on that fateful day that his son took his life. “He was having a hell of a nice day, laughing and joking,” he said. “I miss him. He was my only son. Our lives will never be the same.”
Tyler Marcoux took his life in August 2010. He also showed no signs that he was suicidal, according to family members.
“How does such a young soul become so distraught?” questioned his great aunt, Judy Flynn. “He was the friendliest kid. Always smiling.”
During the walk, Jennifer Marcoux carried a photo of her son. Marching with her was her husband Bill and their son Robert, in addition to several extended family members.
The Marcouxs also held a barbecue at their home on Classic Street over the weekend to raise funds for a scholarship they are starting in memory of Tyler. He would have been a senior this year at Hoosick Falls Central School.
“It was huge,” said Jennifer Marcoux about the barbecue. “We are hoping to do it every year.”
But although events that keep their son’s memory alive help, they said it is still difficult.
“We have good days and bad days,” said Jennifer. “We try to think of the good times, think of the funny things he did and said.”
The Youth to Youth group from HFCS walked with the group’s advisor Colleen Corcoran. She said the group does several activities during the school year to increase teen self esteem, prevent drug and alcohol abuse and promote leadership. Many of the group’s members were classmates of both Joe Sweeney and Tyler Marcoux.
They and other classmates and friends signed luminaries in memory of Sweeney, Marcoux and others who have taken their own lives.
Corcoran, a teacher at HFCS, said she had both teens in her classes. Asked if they showed any signs of depression, she responded, “None whatsoever.”
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is among the ten leading causes of death in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults.
This is the second year for the walk. It began with prayer led by Rev. Lorrie Lyons and ended with meditation and a free dinner for the participants at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
