(Utica, NY – April 2013) Suicide is a leading, tragic and preventable cause of death. More Americans died from suicide last year than from auto accidents and murders’ combined. Suicide is a serious nationwide public health concern, making suicide prevention a top priority. Suicide can be prevented. While some suicide deaths occur without any outward warning, most people who are suicidal do give warning signs.
Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc.’s Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition will host a free panel presentation on Thursday April 11 at 6:30 p.m. entitled: “An Evening of Dialogue” at SUNYIT’s Student Center (Multipurpose Room) in Utica, New York. This panel presentation will inform and provide community members – at risk for suicidal behavior, and for those struggling to understand and cope with a suicide loss – about available resources in our Community.
“[At this panel presentation] community members will have the opportunity to learn to recognize and identify the signs of someone at risk [of suicide], [how] to take these signs seriously, what resources are available [in our community] and how to utilize them appropriately,” said Samantha Madderom, Prevention Specialist for CFLR, Inc.
This event is a collaborative effort between state, county and local representatives in safety, wellness and suicide prevention; in order, to provide the Community an opportunity to learn, ask questions and talk to someone about suicide in a safe space.
“I want to first thank all of the organizers of this special event and all of those participating. Suicide is a leading, tragic and preventable cause of death. This event shows Oneida County is making suicide prevention and mental health a top priority. I’m honored to be a part of this unique event,” said County Executive Picente.
This event is free and open to the public (limited to first 150 attendees). Doors open at 6 p.m. This program will last from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Members from the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (M.C.A.T.) will be on site to speak with community members – in private – who are struggling to understand and cope with a suicide loss.
For more information on this panel presentation, contact Samantha Madderom, Prevention Specialist for CFLR, Inc., at 315-768-2677 or smadderom@cflrinc.org.