SITKA, March 29, 2012 — The “1 is 2 Many” regional suicide prevention task force for Southeast Alaska has a new logo. The logo features The Watchman, which was designed by Tlingít artist and chemical dependency counselor Robert Hoffmann of Sitka, with input from the task force members and refinement and signature design by SEARHC Corporate Communications.

“I am very excited about The Watchman coming to life,” said SEARHC Behavioral Health/Suicide Prevention Program Manager Wilbur Brown Jr., whose program manages several of the grants that support the task force. “I would like to think it is more than a brand for suicide prevention in Southeast Alaska. We at the task force had a long and hard discussion about this logo, and we really wanted to send a strong message to the community that we care and you are not alone.”

The concept for The Watchman logo was developed by 1 is 2 Many starting in June 2010, with input from task force members representing several communities. The task force has members from all over Southeast Alaska, with representatives from health organizations, schools, churches, tribes, law enforcement and other people concerned about suicide prevention in the region. The 1 is 2 Many suicide prevention task force is funded by a variety of state and federal suicide prevention grants managed by the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). The Watchman logo will be used by the task force to help get the word out about suicide prevention. The logo also will be used to help remind people about the free, 24/7 SEARHC Help Line (1-877-294-0074) available for use by any resident of Southeast Alaska who needs help getting through a crisis.

“The task force felt The Watchman is symbolic of courage and the spiritual warrior in everyone,” SEARHC Behavioral Health Division Director Melody Price-Yonts said. “When times are hard and there is a feeling of helplessness, The Watchman message is for you to love yourself just as you are, to have faith and know that you are not alone. The Watchman provides strength and courage to individuals to reach out and ask for help from neighbors, relatives, friends or family. The Watchman is across cultures and can serve as a reminder for us to watch over each other.”

To learn more about the 1 is 2 Many suicide prevention task force for Southeast Alaska and its work around the region, contact Wilbur Brown at 966-8753 in Sitka. The SEARHC Behavioral Health/Suicide Prevention Program offers Alaska Gatekeeper suicide prevention training and mental health first aid training in communities throughout Southeast Alaska. The program also works with schools and communities to prevent underage drinking and binge drinking in adults.