Eat From '50 Men Who Cook' on March 19 and Benefit Suicide Prevention Services

Stephanie Weber, founder and executive director of Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia, sums up the goal of her agency this way: “Our mission is to open minds, save lives and restore hope through prevention, intervention and 'postvention'.”

Weber has dedicated the past 30 years to the cause of suicide prevention and intervention. She has counseled countless survivors of suicide as well as people who have attempted suicide. She’s educated hundreds of teachers, parents and community leaders on depression and the warning signs of suicide and, unfortunately, it’s a job that is never done.

“Suicide is the most preventable death,” said Weber, who refers to herself as a suicidologist. “If you know the warning signs you can intervene.” Weber and her staff, which includes three licensed clinical professional counselors, five graduate level interns and numerous volunteers, work with local high schools and community groups in an attempt to increase understanding and help prevent suicides among teens and adults.

“Our work with Oswego High School for example is primarily training and intervention,” Weber said. “We work with the staff to help them know the warning signs. Also, staff at the high school might refer a student for short-term crisis counseling if they feel it is needed.”

If Weber could say one thing to all parents of teenagers out there, it would be “know what’s going on with your kids.”

Ralph Mitchner, school social worker at Oswego High, has seen first-hand the impact these trainings have had on the school environment.

“It’s very valuable,” Mitchner said. “(SPS staff) is able to empower our teachers to feel comfortable to be proactive with kids who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings. The knowledge and awareness is significant. It’s the understanding that you need to be proactive.”

A constant hurdle for Weber is convincing the public that suicide education and prevention is essential for everyone, whatever their walk in life. Depression and suicide, Weber says, know no boundaries and can affect anyone of any age, sex, race or economic background.

“Knowing the warning signs (of suicide) is like knowing CPR,” Weber said. “You take CPR classes in case something happens, not because you expect something to happen. You take it in case the challenge arises. This is no different.”

Wendi McKenzie of Plainfield is someone who knows all too well that challenges can arrive for any of us at any time. Two years ago she lost her younger brother, Chad, to suicide. Following that devastating loss, Suicide Prevention Services became a lifeline for her.

“I walked into my first S.O.S. meeting April of 2009,” McKenzie said.

S.O.S., Survivors of Suicide support group, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Monday of every month at Advent Christian Church, 905 N. Edgelawn, Aurora. It’s one of two support groups run by SPS. The other, Attempters Support Group, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at Suicide Prevention Services, Stone Manor, 528 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia.

“The support groups are so important,” Weber said. There is still a stigma associated with suicide and there is often a response of guilt and anger. The survivors group is a place where you can share your humanity. Survivors still need to mourn.”

For McKenzie, who was elected to SPS board of directors in 2010, S.O.S. has been an essential part of her ongoing mourning and healing process. Being a part of the group has not only helped McKenzie with her loss it has helped her to find a calling—helping others. She’s now a one-woman welcome committee of sorts for new survivors.

“It’s just something I started doing on my own,” she said. “After every meeting I send out a letter to all new survivors and a card with my contact info on it. I also make phone calls to follow up after meetings. I try and contact all the new survivors.

"I had people reach out to me when I was new and now I’m that person for others. I remember what it was like to be where they are. You feel so devastated. I want to be there to help them during that first stage of grief.”

SPS relies on the dedication of volunteers like McKenzie to help fulfill its mission. The agency’s 24-hour crisis intervention line is staffed by volunteers who undergo crisis intervention training and are supervised by SPS staff. The hotline, 800-273-talk (8255) is run in conjunction with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

In addition to the hotline, SPS’s staff of licensed clinical professional counselors also provides free depression screenings and short-term crisis counseling on a sliding scale.

To fund all of these programs SPS relies on grants and fundraisers. Annually SPS hosts four major fundraisers, the Yellow Ribbon Walk, Harvest of Hope Brunch, pulled-pork dinner and 50 Men who Cook. All of the proceeds from these events support the work of SPS.

“They’re essential,” Weber said. “We couldn’t survive without them.”

Plans are underway for the annual 50 Men Who Cook fundraiser which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Lincoln Inn Banquets, 1345 S. Batavia Rd., Batavia.

Bill Tarver of Batavia is organizing the event for the third year in a row and says this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the best ever. The evening will feature the culinary skills of 50 men (and women).

“Each of our cooks provides bite-sized samples of an appetizer, soup, salad, entrée or dessert,” Tarver explained.

Guests are encouraged to mingle and sample all of the prepared foods. There is voting for each category and awards are handed out to the winners. Also as part of the evening are a cash bar, live entertainment and silent auction.

Batavia police officer Emil Jensen is one of the cooks who will be featured at this year’s event.

“We have recently lost two outstanding officers to suicide,” Jensen said. “This event gives me the opportunity to raise awareness and support to SPS. Plus, I love to cook.”

Other notable participants in this year’s fundraiser include Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, Batavia Mayor Jeffrey Schielke and Batavia Park Board President Pat Callahan.

Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door and are available online through SPS’s Web site, spsfv.org, or by calling 630-482-9699. There are still spots for interested chefs as well. Information for chefs is also available at spsfv.org.

“It’s a really fun event,” Tarver said. “People get really creative and the food is incredible. It’s just a fun, entertaining atmosphere.”