DOS SALON 3880 EL PASEO, SUITE 1 IN PALM DESERT, SUNDAY DEC 1, 10AM-5PM, $20.00 HAIRCUT
BY BRIAN MICHAELZ
Bringing awareness to a painful topic is not an easy task but one local Coachella Valley businessman is doing just that. Dennis Ogas, owner of Dos Salon is tackling the subject of suicide and suicide prevention.
Mr. Ogas is joining forces with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for their Third Cut-A-Thon this Sunday, December 1 from 10:00 am to 5:00pm.
“Cuts are $20.00, it is a basic cut with no styling with hairdressers from Dos Salon, and other hairdressers from the valley that are participating and donating their time. 100% of the proceeds of the cut-a-thon will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, every penny will be sent to them,” said Ogas.
Awareness is the key, and bringing about awareness is very important to Dennis Ogas after suicide hit especially close to home.
“I’m actually a survivor, my wife attempted suicide just recently and she survived. My heart is in it because I think there is a lot of mystique about it and a lot of people don’t understand what suicide is and it can be prevented, if they know what to look for.”
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention data reports 38,364 suicides were reported, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. Every year someone in the country dies by suicide every 13.7 minutes.
“Every time I mention suicide everybody knows someone, either friend or family member, that’s been affected by it, and it’s so final. A lot of times because they don’t understand, why would someone take their life. It causes a lot of pain, everybody suffers from it, after it happens.”
“In my wife’s case she was over medicated. She was taking prescription medication and as a result she attempted to take her life, and didn’t even realize it when she was doing it. Most of these medications, suicide is a side effect. If you notice most of the warnings, they say may cause death, may cause thoughts of suicide. It is a fine line and it is all about awareness,” Ogas shared.
Through getting involved and staying involved Dennis Ogas has certainly managed to bring about more awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. Through joint efforts with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention he has changed what might seem as a negative topic into a more positive light.
“I understand because of my own personal experience what it’s like to go through a situation where someone has attempted to take their life. It’s affected my children, but it has actually brought my family closer together in a positive way.”
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is doing its part throughout the Coachella Valley to raise awareness, according to local chapter Secretary Brenda Kahng.
“What we do is we educate people about mental illness. Not only do we educate them but we also raise awareness about breaking the stigma about mental illness and suicide.”
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is also a very special organization to Ms. Kahng.
“This foundation is really dear to me because I am a survivor of suicide myself. I had several attempts and also dealt with mental illness in the past. At that time I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and my moods were very extreme I would be up for days and then sleep for days and would become very suicidal. With the help of medication, and a therapist that got my brain chemistry in line, I am doing great right now.”
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a local Coachella Valley Chapter, which meets in Palm Desert at the Portola Community Center on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
The local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is also planning its annual Walk-A-Thon scheduled for March 15th, 2014 at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park.
For those interested in helping raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention join Dennis Ogas, Brenda Kahng and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention this Sunday, December 1st at Dos Salon 73880 El Paseo, Suite 1 in Palm Desert.
For more information on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention visit www.afsp.org
Suicide is not a negative topic, it is a public health issue, know the risks, know the signs.
