Concert raises awareness about suicide

While using music to raise awareness for a cause might not be a new concept, it is definitely effective, as BuffaLouie’s co-owner Ed Schwartzman can attest.

Schwartzman organized a concert at the restaurant to support public consciousness of the risks, signs and methods for suicide prevention.

“This is just a celebration,” he said. “We’re not trying to raise money.”

Schwartzman’s son, Ben, took his own life in 2007 at 19. Approximately 32,000 Americans kill themselves every year, making suicide the third leading cause of death for Americans aged 10 to 24, according to the National Institute for Mental Health.

“More people die by their own hand in this country than are murdered,” Schwartzman said. “That’s more important to me than a few dollars.”

A gifted musician, Ben recorded one CD of original songs before his death, which Schwartzman played on speakers before the live music began. He also played a song his daughter Haley recorded, “Your Choice,” about her brother’s death.

The Alive Campaign, an organization dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention, filmed the performances and various interviews for a documentary the group is putting together. Schwartzman’s story and his son’s music will be part of the film’s foundation, said Andi Nakasone, co-director of the Alive Campaign.

They also interviewed attendees like Bloomington residents Anne Rogers and Ken Clampett, who met in the burn unit at Wishard Hospital in 1986 after each had attempted suicide by fire.

“I had third-degree burns on 70 percent of my body,” Rogers said. “We can talk about it because we both went through the same thing, the emotions and the pain.”

Since then, Rogers has gotten involved with organizations like Brave Heart, a camp in Nashville for children with burn injuries, and the World Burn Congress, composed of more than 650 survivors, families, friends and caregivers.

“There were a lot of people who tried to commit suicide that way,” she said.

Rogers estimated she had 18 surgeries as a result of her attempt, including reconstruction on her ear, though the hearing loss she suffered could not be repaired.

Guitarist Dave Campbell, a sophomore, opened the evening with covers of popular songs such as Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” and Sublime’s “What I Got.”

“Dave Campbell has played here many times,” Schwartzman said. “He’s a phenomenal guitar player.”

Moments of Clarity, an acoustic rock band, followed Campbell with original songs like “Heartbroken” and “Runaway.” The band members were friends of Ben and were happy to play in his honor, said lead singer and junior Ryan McFarland.

“I don’t think people legitimize (suicide),” he said. “They see their friend is sad, and they overlook it.”

The Francisco Dean jazz quintet had been scheduled to perform but was forced to cancel at the last minute, Schwartzman said. Filling in instead was rhythm-and-blues singer Ron the Don.

In addition to open-mic nights every other Thursday, BuffaLouie’s has an open-door policy for musicians – anyone who wants to play just has to ask.

“We’d love to have live music every night,” Schwartzman said.