Suicide victim’s relatives share a film about prevention and hope
Volunteers had tissues on hand for people entering the Burlington County Library auditorium in Westampton on June 21 for a screening of My Sister Liv, a tragic yet hopeful film story about a 19-year-old woman who took her own life.
The tissues were needed.
“By us sharing our story, we are hoping to prevent other families and communities from experiencing this earth-shattering grief of suicide loss,” said Honey Beuf, mother of the film’s subject, Olivia “Liv” Kunik.
“We need to get the conversation started about mental health and destigmatize the language around it.”
“A lot of teenagers are afraid to reach out when they are hurting,” noted Tess Kunik, Liv’s older sister, who created the film and used home movies from their childhood to start the story.
“We want young people to know that they are never a burden,” she explained. “It’s not a weakness to reach out. It’s a strength. Reach out to someone close to you. There are resources available. Call 988 if you are really suffering.”
“We are here 24/7,” said Bruna Desouza of Moorestown, 988 call center supervisor for Burlington County. “People can call or text 988.
“It is very important to allow people to talk about what they are going through.”
The three-digit help line is meant for individuals having thoughts of suicide and or experiencing a mental-health or substance-abuse crisis. A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone, listen to the caller, understand how the problem is affecting them, and offer support and resources.
The film screening and subsequent panel discussion were organized by Rachel Morgan, of the county’s Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Youth Services. She is also a senior program analyst and coordinator of the Children’s Interagency Coordinating Committee (CIACC).
“Tess and Honey are two amazing women,” Morgan said of Beuf and Kunik. “I appreciate the courage they had to tell their story. New Jersey is seeing an increase in suicide attempts by teenagers and even children as young as 8 or 9 years old.
CIACC was created by the county board of commissioners to maintain a responsive, accessible and integrated system of care for children with social and emotional challenges, substance-use disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We have to get the conversation started in the community about mental health,” Morgan noted while introducing Kunik before the film. “Social media is a big factor, especially with bullying, for teenagers.”
“I am honored to be able to share with you our story,” Kunik told the audience. She and her mom started The Liv Project so other families do not have to go through the heartbreak of losing a child to suicide.
“When someone is struggling with their mental health, they can feel very alone,” Kunik pointed out. “It can be hard to imagine what someone is going through, and challenging to know what to do or say. But all it takes is one person being there and showing they care to make a difference.”
The film started with clips of Olivia’s birth and her birthday parties, and emphasized love of singing and dancing. She was happiest on the stage in high-school plays and making social media posts with her friends. But My Sister Liv also documents her depression and body image issues. She first attempted suicide at 14 after being sexually assaulted at a party.
Between then and when she succeeded at taking her life in January 2019, there were times of great joy and sadness, a rollercoaster of emotions, as the film puts it.
Beuf and Kunik also addressed their own grief after Olivia’s death. After about a year of heartbreaking sadness and pain, they decided to in some way do something about suicide.
If you know someone in crisis who needs immediate help, dial 988 or call the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline at (855) 654-6735. Help is also available online at www.nj.hopeline.com or by texting njhopeline@ubhc.rutgers.edu.
