The Portage County Suicide Prevention Coalition will host the Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day broadcast and conference, Nov. 21, from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Coleman Access in the Sue Hetrick Building of Coleman Professional Services, 3922 Lovers Lane, Ravenna.
The event is free and open to survivors which is anyone who has been impacted by suicide. The participants will watch a national broadcast of a panel of survivors and mental health professionals sponsored by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
The panelists will address the questions survivors face, "Why did this happen? How can I cope? Where can I find support?" It is a place to find support from other survivors and learn more about suicide.
To pre-register or learn more, call Becky Dempster, chief officer, Coleman Access, at 330-676-8035 or email her at Becky.Dempster@coleman-access.com.
For persons who are unable to attend, the AFSP Web site provides the opportunity to watch the panel presentation on home computers by registering at www.afsp.org. The 90-minute broadcast will be available as a free live webcast from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Nov. 21, 2009, with a live online chat immediately following.
Portage County also offers other support resources to survivors of suicide. Information, a support group or one-on-one conversations are available through Townhall II in Kent. Call 330-678-4357. The Portage County Suicide Prevention Coalition offers information and opportunities to increase awareness about the causes and prevention of suicide. To learn more about the coalition which is overseen by Townhall II call Deborah Neuhart, coalition coordinator, at 330-678-3006.
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