Turning tragedy into hope

Eustis businessman Joe Ziler is raising awareness about suicide.

Story:

Nonchalant references to death have a way of irritating Joe Ziler.

Like when a Facebook user posts an emoticon with a gun to its head. Or when someone says, “Just shoot me” or “Somebody put me out of my misery.”

His sensitivity stems from experiencing the devastating effects of suicide: the shock, the traumatic aftermath, and the mixed emotions. Six years ago, his brother, Mike Ziler, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was only 41 and left behind a 17-year-old daughter, Kara Jo.

In Joe’s mind, suicide should no longer be seen as a taboo subject but rather one that is openly discussed and understood for what it really is: a serious public health problem.

Source: American Foundation for

SUICIDE IS THE SECOND-LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG INDIVIDUALS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 34

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Kara Jo assisted Joe in coming up with ideas for the billboards, which will remain on display through December. So far, their message has been wellreceived. After posting pictures of his billboards on four different Facebook pages, Joe garnered 2,700 interactions and 1,400 shares in three weeks.

“When someone is considering suicide, I’m hoping that seeing these billboards will interrupt their negative thought process and bring them to an even keel of reality,” Joe says. “Hopefully, these billboards will help them think rationally and realize there is help.”

Joe has also spoken about the subject in several public venues, including LifeStream Behavioral Center’s Gala of Hope. He openly talks about the changing emotions that survivors experience, and for him, anger did not occur until years after his brother’s death.

“I started getting mad after thinking what he did to his daughter,” he says.

“She graduated high school without her dad, she graduated college without her dad, she bought her first home without her dad. And eventually, she’ll have her first child without her dad. With every milestone in life, she’ll have to relive those emotions without him being there.”