berghammer organizes
suicide prevention concert
by gabby pettruzzello
On Saturday, April 21 at Craig High School, Noah Berghammer, with help from many volunteers and mental health organizations, shared his struggle with mental illness/depression and provided information for the community. To raise awareness, Berghammer organized a Suicide Prevention Concert referred to as “Music to Save Lives.”
Noah Berghammer courageously decided to share his story, hoping to inspire and give hope to individuals suffering from mental illness. Berghammer organized this concert as an informative and musical way to share information about mental illness.
Sharing his story, Noah Berghammer states, “I mean how couldn’t I be? I was a good athlete. I had a great family. I even played the piano a little bit and sang. My friends were always going to be there, right?”
Continuing, he said, “Depression isn’t a some people thing, it’s an everyone thing. You know, in society today, mental illness, anxiety, ADHD, etc is so frowned upon that kids can barely look at themselves in the mirror without being self-conscious of who they are.”
Berghammer shared the struggle of those suffering from depression to enjoy everyday moments and occurrences.
“Craving acceptance from our peers, it seems we’ll do almost anything to fit in. Let me tell you, it doesn’t fulfil you. If anything, you feel even more empty at the fact that you’re falling further away from who you truly are,” expressed Berghammer.
The concert consisted of fourteen songs and a contemporary lyrical dance performed by Sammi Kaveggia and Grace Schmaling. The songs were introduced by a statistic regarding suicide and mental illness.
Berghammer organized this concert with the help of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Rock County, Mercy Health, who provided generous donations, and Compass Behavioral Health Clinic. The proceeds from the event benefited NAMI.
Berghammer also enlisted the help of a committee, his parents, and Mr. Miller to put this concert together. The committee consisted of Isaiah Brown, Jack Jorgenson, Morgan Stengel, and Emily Reginold.
Both members on the committee and several of the singers introduced each song with a statistic regarding suicide, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Several of the generic facts regarded mental illness included: One in 10 young people experience a period of major depression. One in 25 people have a serious mental illness. One in 5 American adults have a mental health issue. Depression affects 25% of Americans 18+ and half of all Americans will experience a period of major depression in their life. 80% to 90% of people that seek treatment are successfully using medication or going to therapy.
Some of the factors contributing to mental health problems include: biological factors, life experiences including trauma or abuse, and family history of mental health problems.
On a more dire note, many of the statistics regarded suicide rates, symptoms, and victims of a suicide loss included: In the U.S., suicide rates are highest during the spring. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds and the 2nd leading cause of death for 24-35 year olds. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages. One person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes.
As part of the concert, everyone received a glow bracelet or necklace. A moment of silence in the dark was dedicated to the people lost to suicide and those battling mental illness. The dark room full of glow sticks intended to symbolize the light and hope that can be given to individuals struggling with mental illness.
“I am not standing up her to tell you that it just magically gets better as time goes on, cause I would be lying to you. But what I am here to tell you is that things do get better, you learn how to cope, and the stigma does not have to be forever,” stated Berghammer, trying to conjure hope in the audience that mental illness can be treated.
Everyday, 105 Americans die by suicide, with each suicide intimitally affecting at least 6 people. For every 25 suicide attempts, there is one suicide. There are 38,000 suicide deaths per year. 400,000 people every year become suicide survivors.
Some signs of suicide include talking about wanting to die, looking for a way to kill oneself, feeling hopeless, feeling trapped or having no reason to live, and the increase in the use of alcohol or drugs.
Mental illness and suicide impacts not only the individual, but several close family members. A survivor of a suicide loss can be haunted with guilt over questions that can never be answered, or even experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Berghammer donated profits from this event to a nearby organization that aims to treat mental health problems in the community. Berghammer was inspired to organize this concert to show others that help is available, whether it be mental health related or not.
After proudly sharing his story, Berghammer states, “Not too long ago, I was a fourteen year old boy who had to fake a smile almost every day during his freshman year. Now, I am an 18 year old man who is standing up here confidently telling you my story, and I’m not ashamed. I am proud of who I am and the struggles that I have been through.”
Noah Berghammer courageously decided to share his story, hoping to inspire and give hope to individuals suffering from mental illness. Berghammer organized this concert as an informative and musical way to share information about mental illness.
Sharing his story, Noah Berghammer states, “I mean how couldn’t I be? I was a good athlete. I had a great family. I even played the piano a little bit and sang. My friends were always going to be there, right?”
Continuing, he said, “Depression isn’t a some people thing, it’s an everyone thing. You know, in society today, mental illness, anxiety, ADHD, etc is so frowned upon that kids can barely look at themselves in the mirror without being self-conscious of who they are.”
Berghammer shared the struggle of those suffering from depression to enjoy everyday moments and occurrences.
“Craving acceptance from our peers, it seems we’ll do almost anything to fit in. Let me tell you, it doesn’t fulfil you. If anything, you feel even more empty at the fact that you’re falling further away from who you truly are,” expressed Berghammer.
The concert consisted of fourteen songs and a contemporary lyrical dance performed by Sammi Kaveggia and Grace Schmaling. The songs were introduced by a statistic regarding suicide and mental illness.
Berghammer organized this concert with the help of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Rock County, Mercy Health, who provided generous donations, and Compass Behavioral Health Clinic. The proceeds from the event benefited NAMI.
Berghammer also enlisted the help of a committee, his parents, and Mr. Miller to put this concert together. The committee consisted of Isaiah Brown, Jack Jorgenson, Morgan Stengel, and Emily Reginold.
Both members on the committee and several of the singers introduced each song with a statistic regarding suicide, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Several of the generic facts regarded mental illness included: One in 10 young people experience a period of major depression. One in 25 people have a serious mental illness. One in 5 American adults have a mental health issue. Depression affects 25% of Americans 18+ and half of all Americans will experience a period of major depression in their life. 80% to 90% of people that seek treatment are successfully using medication or going to therapy.
Some of the factors contributing to mental health problems include: biological factors, life experiences including trauma or abuse, and family history of mental health problems.
On a more dire note, many of the statistics regarded suicide rates, symptoms, and victims of a suicide loss included: In the U.S., suicide rates are highest during the spring. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds and the 2nd leading cause of death for 24-35 year olds. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages. One person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes.
As part of the concert, everyone received a glow bracelet or necklace. A moment of silence in the dark was dedicated to the people lost to suicide and those battling mental illness. The dark room full of glow sticks intended to symbolize the light and hope that can be given to individuals struggling with mental illness.
“I am not standing up her to tell you that it just magically gets better as time goes on, cause I would be lying to you. But what I am here to tell you is that things do get better, you learn how to cope, and the stigma does not have to be forever,” stated Berghammer, trying to conjure hope in the audience that mental illness can be treated.
Everyday, 105 Americans die by suicide, with each suicide intimitally affecting at least 6 people. For every 25 suicide attempts, there is one suicide. There are 38,000 suicide deaths per year. 400,000 people every year become suicide survivors.
Some signs of suicide include talking about wanting to die, looking for a way to kill oneself, feeling hopeless, feeling trapped or having no reason to live, and the increase in the use of alcohol or drugs.
Mental illness and suicide impacts not only the individual, but several close family members. A survivor of a suicide loss can be haunted with guilt over questions that can never be answered, or even experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Berghammer donated profits from this event to a nearby organization that aims to treat mental health problems in the community. Berghammer was inspired to organize this concert to show others that help is available, whether it be mental health related or not.
After proudly sharing his story, Berghammer states, “Not too long ago, I was a fourteen year old boy who had to fake a smile almost every day during his freshman year. Now, I am an 18 year old man who is standing up here confidently telling you my story, and I’m not ashamed. I am proud of who I am and the struggles that I have been through.”