FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1st Annual Suicide Prevention Education Week
September 9 – 14 at SLU
ST.LOUIS, September 4, 2013— Suicide should be a significant concern in the State of Missouri. In 2009, based on a Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) survey, as many Missourians died by suicide as by accidents caused by driving under the influence, homicides and AIDS combined. And, among Missouri youth, ages 15—24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. In an effort to address this increasing concern, Provident’s Life Crisis Services, Saint Louis University and Active Minds have assembled a series of workshops addressing suicide awareness, resources and prevention during the week of September 9 – 14 at various lectures halls at Saint Louis University.
Events include:
Survivors of Suicide Panel, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in Lee Lecture Hall. A survivor of suicide is someone who has lost a loved one to suicide. It is estimated that for every suicide, there are six to 12 individuals left to pick up the pieces. The SOS panel will consist of three survivors who will share their grief journey. A candlelight vigil will follow at the clock tower.
Crisis Worker Panel, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Baer Fuller Lecture Hall. Crisis Workers play a vital role in 24/7 suicide prevention. Crisis Workers will talk about their experiences before and after working on the Lifeline and LCS hotlines.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Panel, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Kelley Lecture Hall. CIT officers, who are specially trained to respond to individuals who are at risk for suicide, are often on the front line when it comes to suicide prevention.. This panel will consist of three CIT officers from the St. Louis area who will share their stories and provide information on how to utilize their services.
Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Gatekeeper Training, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in Kelley Lecture Hall. Learn how to recognize warning signs for suicide and how to ask someone if they are thinking about suicide and how to persuade someone to get help
The Bridge documentary, noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, in Carlo Auditorium in Tegeler Hall. The Bridge will be shown again at 6 p.m. in Kelley Lecture Hall. View the documentary that examines suicide and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, including interviews with survivors, witnesses of attempts and loved ones of those who completed suicide. Note that this film includes some graphic and realistic scenes of suicide.
Community Panel, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Kelley Lecture Hall. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), "Every 15 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide." This panel will consist of area agency representatives who offer different services regarding suicide prevention in the community.
For more information, please contact Heather Barnett, Director, Life Crisis Services, Provident, Inc. at 314.446.2826 or .
Serving the St. Louis Area since 1860, Provident is an accredited, nonprofit, United Way-funded agency that helps individuals and families to a brighter future through counseling, crisis intervention, and community support services.
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For more Information, contact:
Janet Frain, Marketing Manager
Direct: 314-802-2629; Email:
Website: www.providentstl.org