Rapid City tattoo shop supports suicide prevention with weekend event

Convicted Designs Tattoo & Piercing in Rapid City is raising awareness about suicide prevention with an event this weekend at their business.  Fifty percent of proceeds from purchases made during the event will support Lost&Found.

The event is from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Sept. 21. Artists from all of their locations will gather at their business at 116 East Boulevard North in Rapid City. A message board will be available for people to honor people they have lost, as well as give positive messages to others.

JoAnn Smith is the woman behind the event. Suicide awareness and prevention is a cause near and dear to her heart.

“I lost my boys both to suicide 13 months apart,” Smith said. “It was devasting. The biggest thing I thought was, ‘No one could ever know how I feel.’ I felt awful—like I was a terrible parent, I was a terrible person, how could I not have known, why … why … why … Then, I started an awareness walk.  And I was humbled and shocked at the amount of people in my little town that were affected by suicide. I had no idea. But, that day, the greatest gift was given to me. A lady from our community came up to me, and let me know that she too, had lost two people to suicide. And that … she gets it.  And that I’m not alone.  So, now I try to pass on the same gift to other people. To let them know — I get it.  And that they’re not alone.”

Smith said she picked Lost&Found because she wants more people to know about the organization, especially its Survivors Joining for Hope program. “It’s a program that I wish would’ve been available for my family when we needed it,” she said. “There’s someone there to help you, on one of the worst days of your life. … This program helps people we know and love right here in our community. (Supporting Lost&Found is) literally me helping my loved ones, friends, and neighbors.”

“(Suicide has) become such a tragic epidemic,” Smith said. “It’s everywhere.  And we need to be better. Better educated, better helped,  better staffed to help, better at being kind. If I can help one person, that’s a win.”

Promoting suicide awareness and prevention is also a way of honoring her sons.

“I had a son,” Smith said.” His name was Alex. He was 25. He was an amazing son, loving brother, proud father, and best friend. AND — I had a son. His name was Aaron. He was 16.  He had the happiest twinkling blue eyes, a contagious laugh, and was always chasing the perfect burn out.  They will be forever missed, and never forgotten. I will forever say their names.”