
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Christopher Elliott or Laurie Mellas; 277-5915
UNM's Agora Co-Sponsoring Movie Premiere
In Conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Week
In recognition of national suicide prevention week, the University of New Mexico's Agora Crisis Center is co-sponsoring the premiere of “Jumping off Bridges” at the Southwest Film Center in UNM's Student Union Building.
A red carpet event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. and will include guest speakers and a panel of experts to discuss suicide prevention, according to Jeremy Jaramillo of Agora Crisis Center. A new commercial produced by Agora, Jason Foundation and Albuquerque teens will also premier as a trailer.
“Jumping off Bridges” is the second feature film of Storie Productions, a film production company based in Austin, Texas. It will show on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., in addition to its Friday premier.
“Inspired by invincible friendships, junior high journal entries, heart breaking crushes and the complexities of losing loved ones, ‘Jumping off Bridges' follows a carefree, adventurous group of four best friends deep in the trenches of adolescence,” said Kat Candler of Storie Productions in a news release.
The film is one element in a weeklong effort by Agora Crisis Center to increase awareness of the far-reaching effects of suicide in New Mexico. Events will commence with a solemn candlelight vigil in front of the SUB on Sunday, Sept. 10. A 60 ft. canvas painted with handprints representing lives lost by suicide will also be exhibited on UNM's Campus and at public schools around Albuquerque throughout the week.
Agora is a 24-hour confidential hotline that serves the local and state community. Committed to suicide prevention, Agora's call volume has tripled in the past five years, Jaramillo said.
Last year Agora received $200,000 of additional funding from the New Mexico Department of Health because of the increased usage of the toll-free hotline.
“We are one of the ways UNM gives back to the community,” Jaramillo said.
Nearly one-third of the state's 356 suicide cases in 2004 took place in Bernalillo County, according to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator's Annual Report. The OMI also notes “New Mexico's suicide rate is consistently higher than the national average.”
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24 and New Mexico suicide rates rank in the top five nationally, Jaramillo said.
“Generally, college related suicides have been on the rise for a few years,” Jaramillo said. “College is a time of great flux, change and growth. Sometimes students have a hard time adapting. We want to take care of them.”
For tickets or further information on the week's events go to Agora's Web site at www.agoracares.org . Agora's crisis line is 277-3013 and statewide at 1-866-HELP-1-NM.
###
www.unm.edu