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Presentation

Savings Institute Bank & Trust presented United Services and the organizers of Particle Accelerator with a $500 sponsorship Friday. The annual benefit concert will be held June 11 in Putnam’s Rotary Park and raises awareness for suicide and depression and funds for United Services. From left: United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning, Particle co-founder Eric Gould, Savings Institute Brooklyn Manager Joan St. Ament, Particle co-founders Grace Young, Jack Young and Sandy Gould, and Savings Institute Assistant Vice President Deborah Kennett. Courtesy photo.

 

PUTNAM – As Particle Accelerator marks its 10th Anniversary this year, the critical work promoting awareness and education about suicide and depression has never been more important, as recent federal showed suicide rates steadily increased from 1999 to 2014, hitting their highest rate in nearly 30 years at 13 per 100,000.

The federal analysis, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics stated that suicide is one of the 10 leading causes of death overall and within each age group 10-64. Suicide rates have increased steadily since 1999 and at a higher annual percent increase since 2006, according to the CDC. 

2016 marks the 10th Annual Particle Accelerator: A Day of Music and Hope, to be held from noon to 11 p.m. June 11 in Rotary Park. 

The free, all-day music festival features 20 bands playing music of all genres and for all ages. 

The annual benefit concert has two main goals. 

The first is to raise funds and awareness to support United Services, Inc., one of Connecticut’s most comprehensive private, non-profit behavioral health centers, providing mental and behavioral health education, prevention, treatment and social services to the children, adults and families of northeastern Connecticut since 1964.

United Services is available 24/7/365 at 860-774-2020 for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

The second goal is to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.

The festival is held in memory of local musician Jack Young Jr., who died by suicide on his 27th birthday in 2007, and organized by local residents, business owners, musicians and artists. 

In addition to the concert, the family-friendly festival will also feature art displays, children’s activities and booths from local nonprofit organizations providing information on various local behavioral health and human services.

In nine years, Particle Accelerator has raised more than $38,000 for local mental health services. 

Last year’s festival raised more than $8,000, a figure organizers hope to top this year.