– Every 14 minutes, someone dies by suicide -- that’s more than 38,000 U.S. deaths each year! In fact, by this time tomorrow, more than 100 people in the U.S. will have died by suicide, and more than 1,000 will have hurt themselves trying. Here in the Hudson Valley, a local organization is working to help erase the stigma around mental health and suicide so that more people will seek help. The Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP-HV) will host three upcoming awareness events: two “Here Comes the Sun Bike Runs” on Sunday, May 5, in Dutchess County, and Sunday, June 2, in Orange County, and a Saturday, May 11 “Here Comes the Sun” Horse Ride, also in Dutchess County. The events are an extension of the nonprofit organization’s “Out of the Darkness Walks” held every fall. This is the third annual Dutchess County motorcycle ride, the sixth annual Orange County motorcycle and the first ever AFSP horse ride.

“These events are critically important to one of AFSP’s main missions: to educate the public,” said Michelle Terwilliger-Hathaway, AFSP’s Hudson Valley Board President. Mrs. Hathaway has spent the last five years promoting the “Here Comes the Sun” bike run in Orange County. She lost her brother, Bryan Terwilliger, to suicide six years ago. In 2011, Steve Dolce spread the event’s success to Dutchess County after losing his friend and fellow biker to suicide. Last year, more than 300 riders turned out, doubling attendance from the year before. Building on that success, with the help of Deanna Mancuso, of Lucky Orphan’s Horse Rescue, AFSP will reach out to yet another audience this year – horse enthusiasts! “We’ve had such success with our “Here Comes the Sun” events that we thought we’d try to reach out to another audience,” said Dolce who now serves as AFSP-HV Board Chairman.

All “Here Comes the Sun” events have options for riders and non riders alike. Registration for both motorcycle events is 9-11 a.m. Kickstands go up at 11:30 a.m., participants take off for a 2-hour scenic ride, and then return for free barbecue and live music. The donation for both bike runs is $25 per rider/event guest and $40 per couple. Bike clubs, individuals, and non riders are all welcome to attend. The May 5 bike run takes place again at PC’s Paddock, 273 Titusville Road, Poughkeepsie; the June 2 bike run will again be at My Place, 911 Little Britain Road, New Windsor. The May 11 horse ride will be held at Stoneridge Stables, 3 Great Pyr Way, a private road with an entrance at 402 Traver Road, in Pleasant Valley. Registration for the horse ride is 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. The horse event runs until 2 p.m. The requested donation is $35 per horse rider, though family discounts will be available. The horse event includes trail rides for those who bring their own horses or call to reserve a horse ahead of time; first time riding experiences that include basic instruction for children and adults; equine-assisted therapy for those intrigued by horses but maybe intimidated by them; and pony rides for all children, regardless of age or ability. There will also be free music, and food for sale. Proper attire for the horse ride is required – long pants, and closed shoes (preferably boots) – no flip flops, sandals, shorts or skirts. All events are s sponsored by PC’s Paddock, My Place Restaurant, Lucky Orphan’s Horse Rescue, Trailer King, WPDH radio, and The Golden Rail.

Anyone touched by suicide, depression or mental illness is encouraged to attend. “These events get people talking about an uncomfortable topic. They bring them together to share their stories and remember their loved ones, and they show how people from all walks of life can band together for a common cause and bring this otherwise taboo subject ‘out of the darkness’ and into the ‘sun,’ to help save lives,” Mrs. Hathaway said.

Money raised from all “Here Comes the Sun” events (and the Out of the Darkness Community Walks) will fund local suicide prevention, awareness, and educational programs in the six counties covered by AFSP’s Hudson Valley chapter – Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Sullivan. It will also help fund programs for schools and national research, said Maria Idoni, AFSP’s Hudson Valley Area Director.

Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death. But suicide is often preventable and the depression that leads to it is treatable, Mrs. Idoni said. Suicide is now the 10th leading cause of death in this country.

Help raise awareness. For more information on the Dutchess County “Here Comes the Sun” bike run contact Steve Dolce at (845) 891-9808 or email: steveafsphv@gmail.com; for info on the Orange County “Here Comes the Sun” bike run call Michelle Hathaway at (845) 417-6888; for info on the “Here Comes the Sun” Horse Ride – or to reserve a trail ride horse – contact Deanna Mancuso at (845) 416-8583 or email: Deanna@luckyorphanshorserescue.org; For information on suicide prevention initiatives go to www.afsp.org. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).