Family turns loss into message of hope surrounding mental health
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – A Bowling Green family is turning the loss of a daughter and sister into a message they hope could help save someone else’s life.
Allison Clark died by suicide in 2020. Since then, her family has worked to raise awareness about suicide and mental health, including wrapping their vehicles with messages of hope, help and healing.
Denise Ayers, Allison’s mother, was the first family member to wrap her car. She said the family chose vehicles because the message can reach people wherever they drive.
“We chose cars because, you know, you’re driving around, you read people’s cars, the signs,” Ayers said.
The vehicles feature Allison’s picture, messages about suicide prevention and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Ayers said people have approached her after seeing the vehicles and shared their own experiences with suicide.
“People have actually came up to me that said that by seeing our cars, it made a difference. They decided not to go that route,” Ayers said.
Alicia Dennis, Allison’s sister, said seeing the vehicles on the road has been uplifting because it shows the family’s message is reaching people.
“It goes to show that what we’re doing is making a difference. That people really are noticing what we’re doing,” Dennis said.
For Brandy Ramsey, also Allison’s sister, the cars are about making sure her sister’s memory continues to live on.
“What influenced me is I want to make sure that she stays alive, her memory stays alive, and she’s not forgotten,” Ramsey said.
Ayers described Allison as loving, caring and intelligent. She said Allison developed schizophrenia at age 25 and that the family tried to find help for her.
“We tried everything to try to get her some help. And unfortunately, there’s just not a lot out there,” Ayers said.
The family hopes the vehicles can serve as a reminder that people struggling with their mental health are not alone.
“There is help out there. There’s always hope. And there is healing,” Ayers said.
The family encourages anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide to call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
