INDIANAPOLIS – Firearm violence and suicide in Indiana are public health issues. People of all ages and races, regardless of income or level of education, are dying needless, violent deaths.

For the last decade, the overall firearm related death rate in Indiana has been higher than that of the nation as a whole. Suicide is the second leading cause of injury death in the state.

In an effort to reduce firearm violence and suicide in Indianapolis, Clarian Health, the Indianapolis Police Department, the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence and RTV6 will hold a news conference on August 15 at 9:00 a.m. at Ravenbrook Widow Missionary Baptist Church, 5102 N. Central Avenue.

Seven Sundays of Non-Violence is a way for the faith community to come together with police, health and school officials to conduct a community-wide initiative to reduce firearm violence. This initiative will provide faith leaders with information regarding risk signs for suicide and firearm violence, and will provide resources that can be shared with families to help prevent firearm injuries and suicides.

In addition to the Seven Sundays of Non-Violence, a gun buyback will be held on August 28, 2004 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Julia Carson Government Center, 300 East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive.

Unwanted guns may be turned in and receive $20 in cash.

The community-wide initiative will culminate with a conference entitled; Understanding, Preventing and Responding To Firearm Violence and Suicide: How the Faith Community Can Make A Difference on October 5, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the North United Methodist Church, 3808 North Meridian Street.

The objectives of the meeting are to:

* Explain who is at risk for suicide or gun injuries.
* Present ideas for helping someone who is threatening suicide or at risk for gun injuries.
* Describe why gun violence and suicide are community-wide problems affecting all neighborhoods.
* Highlight faith community initiatives related to non-violence.
* Launch a faith community stipend training course related to suicide and firearm violence prevention.
* Discuss theological perspectives on suicide.

“In order to reduce violent deaths in Indianapolis, the entire community must allocate time, resources and energy to address these issues at hand,” said Richard F. Benton, deputy chief of the Indianapolis Police Department North District.

After a 1990 incident in which a 13-year-old boy shot an eighth-grade girl by mistake as she rode a school bus to John Marshall Middle School, community leaders and representatives of the Indianapolis Public Schools and Indianapolis Police launched the Community Solutions Conference (CSC), a school-community network that is still active today at Ravenbrook Widow Missionary Baptist Church North.

“Many persons in distress turn to their church for help, and this initiative provides a crucial window of opportunity for the faith leaders to intervene and provide information and resources that could prevent a violent event in that person’s life,” said Marilyn Bull, MD, medical director of the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence.

“We are pleased to be part of this very important community effort to address violence in our neighborhood,” said Rev. Anthony Wayne Harris. “Through the efforts of CSC, we have been able to engage in real dialogue to improve both public safety and public education. We have been able to carry on the legacy of Rev. Rubin Fields with the creation of a public forum based on integrity that seeks to find solutions in a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere.”

“Gunshot injuries are far too common in this state, and victims are of all ages, race and income levels,” said Scott Bjerke, MD, medical director of Trauma Services at Methodist Hospital. “Most of the gunshot wounds seen are either fatal or cause lifetime devastating physical and emotional losses for victims and their families.”