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Welcome to Particle Accelerator II |
Three months before The Legendary Jack Young Jr. committed suicide in 2007, he tried to get help for his depression and substance abuse, but was turned down for lack of health insurance. PARTICLE ACCELERATOR is an annual benefit rock show to raise money for and increase awareness of suicide and depression, with the sole purpose of educating our youth and assisting those with no health insurance who want or need help with mental health issues.
PARTICLE ACCELERATOR II BENEFIT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 28th, 2008
11am - 11pm
Brooklyn Fair Grounds, Brooklyn, CT
Rain or Shine- More Than 15 Performances
$10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door
Raffles, Food, Art Show, And A Variety Of Musical Performances!
To benefit Suicide Prevention Programs Through United Services, Inc. |
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This is the annual event and charity we created to honor our son’s memory. PARTICLE ACCELERATOR 2007 raised over $4000 for our local mental health concern after my beloved son Jack Young, Jr., committed suicide on May 8, 2007, his 27th birthday.
We all say, ‘oh, no, not MY son,... not OUR family...’ but yes, our middle class, happy family, our close-knit clan, we who laughed and played together even now that the boys were grown, have been monumentally crushed by the death of our son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle... a death that should have, that could have been prevented.
OUR COUNTRY NEEDS A NATIONAL HEALTHCARE PLAN!
Suicide is a major problem in Connecticut as well as all over the United States. The statistics are frightening. Over 100 teens will commit suicide today, and many more will attempt suicide. Since my son's death, it seems as though nearly every person I come in contact with has personally dealth with this tragedy, or knows someone who has been touched by the horror of suicide. We MUST, as a community, as a state, as a country, provide more education, provide more funds, more staff, more doctors to help combat this horrendous problem. If we cannot provide more access to everyday folk who need mental health care, then sadly we will all have to face the pain of suicide. We must address this area’s need for an open dialog about suicide and suicide prevention.
My son knew he was depressed, and as a family we actively sought help. We talked, prayed, and cried together, and tried to come up with the answers. But many of the facilities in this area had waiting lists and turned him away. We did not know Jack was suicidal at this point. We tried to get someone to talk to, but several local psychiatrists and psychologists did not even accept new patients. And of course, even if there were openings available, No Insurance meant No Treatment.
Our Jack was a talented, handsome, intelligent young man, a musician who worked part time in order to follow his dream to play music. But now Jack is gone. We are left with our memories and the pain of our loss. The loss of our children by suicide is America’s loss as well.
As our legislators, we rely on you to carry our concerns to those who are in positions to make positive changes. Our country needs a healthcare system that is open to all, regardless of age, color, the number of hours you work or the amount of money you make. Many people aren’t even able to get the hours needed to be eligible for health insurance because their employers won’t provide them with this very basic need. This is so wrong. In addition, there needs to be more facilities available to those who suffer from mental illnesses, and treatment centers for substance abuse, for often they walk hand in hand.
I can’t bear the thought of another mother suffering the pain I know I will carry to my own grave...I know my heart will never recover from my child’s senseless loss. Please help me. Ask your fellow legislators to support you in backing a national healthcare system for the United States.
Thank You,
Grace Young
PARTICLE ACCELERATOR
in memory of Jack Young, Jr.
19 Fremont ST
Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-5882
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