The suicide rate in the United States is increasing, and is now at a 30-year high for most ages groups.
In response, the family of A.J. Smith said they hope the event can save a life, even if it means using their worst memory.
The Smiths participated in an event Wednesday to discuss suicide awareness and prevention. The event was organized by the Cranberry Area Diversity Network.
Smith’s family said he dreamed of being a firefighter since he was 10 years old. The Seneca Valley graduate and Army veteran lived out his dream with a fire department in South Carolina.
"He loved being a firefighter,” said Deb Smith, A.J.’s mother. “He wanted to be a firefighter from the time he was small.”
A back injury ended that dream prematurely, which is when his family started noticing a change.
“He was a character. He smiled a lot, laughed a lot, but he also had dark times,” Smith said.
A.J. dealt with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder after getting hurt. He took his own life last year at 28 years old.
“You don’t ever think about losing your child,” Smith said.
Family, friends and faith helped Deb Smith and her family through the unspeakable pain. They learned 22 veterans take their life each day, along with countless more people, many younger than A.J. Deb Smith helped create the group “AJ’s Stop 22” to end the stigma and raise awareness about suicide.
Similar events have popped up throughout the region, including the event at the Cranberry YMCA. The hope is by sharing A.J.’s story, it will help end an epidemic that’s touched so many lives.
“If we can save one person from feeling what we have felt the last year, that’s A.J.’s way of helping. Maybe that’s his legacy,” Deb Smith said.
Experts and speakers from nearly a dozen organizations are taking part in the event, including A.J.’s alma mater, Seneca Valley. The event runs until 9:15 p.m.