Billboard brings awareness to suicide prevention

GILBERT, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new billboard along a highway in the Poconos is catching the eyes of thousands of travelers throughout Monroe County.

28/22 News has more from the organization behind the message that spreads awareness about suicide prevention.

Route 209 is a busy stretch in Gilbert filled with several billboards along the highway, but a new one is causing drivers like Bill Parkin to pull over and take a picture.

“I was shocked,” said Bill Parkin, Albrightsville.

That shock factor is exactly what Sharon Gerhart wanted. She stands in front of the billboard her non-profit ‘Austin’s Blue Line’ paid for, a message that reads ‘Suicide is permanent, just ask my family.’

“To put a face and a name to this silent epidemic that we have and as you can see, we have Austin’s beautiful picture and several people have already reached out to me saying, ‘it gave me chills, it made me cry,” stated Sharon Gerhart, founder, Austin’s Blue Line.

Austin is Gerhart’s son, who took his own life in 2021.

Now their non-profit raises money for students pursuing law enforcement, which was Austin’s plan after graduating from Pleasant Valley High School.

“It just has to be put out there, the word has to be put out there. If you have a problem, please talk to somebody,” expressed Parkin

They also help spread resources like the number 988, which is the suicide and crisis lifeline.

“I see it on my way to work every day. Having something right there that you can see, I feel may be a lifesaver,” said Mary Putz, Effort

The billboard on Route 209 and Fairgrounds Road will be up through mid-November, but Gerhart says this will just be one of many, to continue the conversations about suicide prevention.

“God does not make mistakes, your life has a purpose. You might not know what is it today and that’s ok,” said Gerhart.

Gerhart says although you cannot see physical results in this kind of work, she hopes it helps just one person.

“I think we all need to be that one collective family. You know, the old saying it takes a village right? Well, nowadays we all have to be that village for one another and each other’s kids,” explained Gerhart.

The nonprofit hoped to have the billboard up last month, but says it’s even better in October due to it being ‘mental health awareness month’ and Austin’s birthday month.

Austin’s Blue Line hosts fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for scholarships to be distributed to local students. The next fundraiser will be its annual ‘chili cookoff’ on March 1st. Check their website for updates and details Austinsblueline.Org

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