Local Residents Advocate Suicide Awareness

Jane Lewins

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Jane Lewins provided oral testimony to the Ohio Senate Education Committee Hearing on the Jason Flatt Act (HB 543) in November 2012. She was part of the push to have a bill passed that requires teachers, counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, and administrators in Ohio schools to receive training in youth suicide awareness and prevention. 

Jane shared her own powerful story of how she was impacted by the unexpected suicide of her 18-year-old son, Micah Kellen Lewins, in January 2011. Jane described how the overwhelming support of the Rocky River community and the legacy of her son’s vibrant life have propelled her into working in the field of surviving suicide loss. HB 543 was passed and signed into law as Jane looked on in December 2012. 

Jane is still advocating. She has traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the appropriation of $25 million to aid in the design of effective suicide prevention strategies.  To design effective strategies, there is a need for complete, accurate and timely information about deaths by suicide. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) provides this information. However, current funding of $3.5 million allows only 18 states to participate in this program. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is urging Congress to appropriate the full $25 million to implement the NVDRS in all 50 states. Currently, President Obama supports full funding in fiscal year 2014. 

Jane's daughter Caitlin Lewins, who studied theatre, philosophy, and music at Baldwin-Wallace College, is advocating in a different way.  Caitlin is the creator and director of Left in Ink, an original documentary that was performed at the Cleveland Public Theatre in May. The show focused on people who have gotten tattoos in memory of suicide victims.  Based on personal interviews, Caitlin shared these personal tales of loss and recovery. 

Jane and her daughter Caitlin have been touched by the tragedy of suicide and are doing their part to bring sensitivity, authenticity, and awareness to the issue.