The Fayette County Civitans are dedicated to helping people in their own communities wherever the need arises. One area of need was most evident to many in the community last month when a veteran lost his life in Peachtree City.
Within 30 minutes the Fayette LOSS Team was activated by the Chief of Police to provide comfort and support for a grieving family. The LOSS Team is a service of Armed Forces Mission (AFM), a local nonprofit focused on the reduction of suicide in Fayette County. LOSS is an acronym for Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors.
Chaplain Kenneth Koon, AFM executive director and LOSS Team Leader, provided support to law enforcement personnel and later that evening was escorted to the home of the parents. In the days that followed chaplain support was provided for the family to include officiating the military memorial service.
“At AFM we are so thankful for the support of the Fayette County Civitans,” said Koon. “They have stood with AFM since our inception in 2012. Through this partnership we are able to continue our efforts to build community resilience and restore hope for those who are hurting.” AFM developed the first LOSS Team in the state of Georgia in 2013 after Chaplain Koon attended the National LOSS Teams Conference, led by his friend and mentor, Dr. Frank Campbell, PhD. Many times one suicide can lead to another. Therefore, the LOSS Team serves to provide prevention against additional losses, while helping survivors by coordinating various resources and seeing that the family’s needs are met, mentally as well as spiritually. AFM will host the inaugural LOSS Teams Conference for the state of Georgia in Peachtree City in August.
“Our vision is that Fayette County will be a beacon of hope for all within the Fayette community; both veteran and civilian,” said Koon. “We want our community to be an example and encouragement to other communities throughout Georgia of effective ways to address loss when there is a tragedy like suicide.”
In addition to the LOSS Team program, the support of the Civitans helps underwrite suicide intervention training programs conducted by AFM for individuals from all walks of life. In 2012 and 2013 AFM was heavily involved on suicide intervention in Fayette County and trained more than 300 community intervention advocates. In that year Fayette County experienced a 50-percent reduction in suicide and a 20-year low in the suicide rate for the community. In the years that followed Chaplain Koon, who is also a US Army Reserve Chaplain, was on the road across the country training other communities.
“I had been feeling the need to return to my roots; with this most recent loss the decision was solidified that the time had come to focus once again on our own backyard,” said Koon.
Throughout 2016 AFM will once again focus training in Fayette County to give citizens the skills that save lives. The fourth annual kick-off of the I WILL INTERVENE CHALLENGE began in December with 41 participants present, including many law enforcement personnel. In 2015 more than 2600 individuals throughout the country participated in the Challenge.
“If we can do the same in Fayette County I believe we can turn the tide on suicide,” said Koon. “The support of the Civitans and many other organizations, churches and individuals will help make Fayette County safer from the risk and individuals will be empowered to help when they see others who are hurting and at risk.”
To learn more visit FayetteStrong.com.
