Haitian born Amour Delus launched foundation in memory of Monique Woolley
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”– Maya Angelou
BY KENNETH MILLER|PUBLISHER
More than a month marking the 10 year anniversary of her daughter suicide death, on a bright sunny summer day in beautiful Beverly Hills, and Amour Delus arrives outfitted in yellow dress, brown hat to promote the 2ndannual “Honoring of Our Everyday Heroes First Responders, Stories From The Frontline Event.”
It is an event that pays homage to her late daughter through an organization named for her, The Monique Woolley Foundation.
“The full name of The Monique Woolley Foundation, “When Feeling Blue Think Yellow”. Ten years ago, my oldest daughter at the age of 33 committed suicide. She was having some depression and we decided that we were not going to let her death go in vain so we created a platform for suicide survivors to share their stories and in doing so we’ve become ambassadors to give voice to the voiceless. It’s okay not to be okay and suicide is not the answer,” Delus explained to South Bay Black Journal.
The event scheduled for Oct. 20 from 5pm-10pm will be held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood with anticipated guest from First Responders, Police, Military and Firefighters in addition to an array of other celebrities and dignitaries.
Amour Delus, who serves as the CEO & Founder of The Monique Woolley Foundation
Delus, who serves as the CEO & Founder of The Monique Woolley Foundation, says the goal is to provide individuals who failed at their suicide to have a safe space to heal.
The date of June 23, 2015 was Delus worst nightmare. Monique was dog sitting for her aunt Melissa when late that evening, she took her life by hanging herself, according to Delus.
Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death from 2002-2015 when 44,193 suicides were committed according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). California accounted for almost 10 percent of suicides during their period with 4,204 reported suicides.
The CDC August report suggested a decline in suicides among youth by 8 percent in California.
However, one suicide is far too many and Delus and her three surviving children, Tabitha Amour Woolley (40), Christopher Woolley (36) and Marcus Alexander Woolley (27) are determined to help as many people as they can.
According to its website: The Monique Woolley Foundation is a movement dedicated to Survivors of Suicide, those struggling from Depression, and to bring awareness to the importance of Mental illness. We are breaking the silence on Depression by creating this platform for Survivors to tell their stories to one another; One story at a time. We are assisting by providing means to begin healing. We are providing resources to save One life at a time. We are bringing hope to those affected by Depression and Mental illness.. We are here letting everyone know they, “YOU ARE NOT ALONE! AND IT’S OKAY, NOT TO BE OK”. Together we will make a big difference in the lives of others. Let’s Keep HOPE Alive.
Delus has used her platform to partner with other organizations to bring attention to what she describes as the silent killer.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
For immediate assistance, call 1-800-273 TALK (8255) or text TALK 741741
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
SUPPORT GROUPS
Grief Support at:
psychologytoday.com
circlesup.com
allianceofhope.org
suicidology.org
afsp.org
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention lists U.S and international suicide bereavement support groups as a public service to loss survivors.
Is a non-profit organization that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among college and university students and helps parents recognize and find support for a child’s mental health.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
Grief Support for Suicide Loss Survivors Offering a place to turn when the worst has happened.
