May 2005

Several of our local survivor parents including me went to our spring parent of suicide spring retreat. We had great fellowship and it is always so healing to be with others who walk this painful journey. It reinforces to me the importance of our July 9th vigil and getting the word out for so many people in the bay area who have experience the death of a loved one by suicide. We need to come together and stand strong.

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. “ --Eleanor Roosevelt

Now for some great news!

The Senate voted 39-0 to include the language we wanted in HB 209!

Senator Mandy Dawson gave a great speech on how this will benefit children and that it is long overdue.

As you know the House of Representatives voted 111-0 for it.

But it has to go back to the House for one last amendment - to remove the last 4 words of the bill which the senate took out: "and have future consequences" which is an unimportant aspect of the bill.

So it looks like HB 209 will give us a new law that includes this language:

(3) Before a student is evaluated for the purposes of classification or placement under s. 1003.57 (5) for any disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of mental Disorders, the parent shall be notified that

1. The behaviors prompting the evaluation could be the result of underlying physical conditions.

2. The parent should consider consulting a medical doctor to rule out physical cause

3. The parent has the right to decline the evaluation

4. The evaluation and subsequent classification or placement may be documented on the student’s cumulative record

Hospice is starting a new 6 weeks suicide survivors group. I highly recommend it. Call Barb Jiracek at 727/586-4432

We have started an on going suicide survivors group it is still under Hospice control and you need to talk to Barb to come. If you can't join the 6 weeks and want to do our once a month group call Barb.

I apologies ahead of time for any errors I may have made.

Hope to see you all at our next meeting and if not mark your colanders for our July 9th event.

Blessings to all

Bonnie McClelland

Chapter Director
Suncoast Yellow Ribbon 727/394-8222