By MARY GERARD
Vice President of Human Resources,
The Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Otis R. Bowen Center will be holding a suicide prevention event at the Syracuse Community Center. This event will be free to the public.

The event is sponsored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, the Syracuse Police Department and the Bowen Center.

Unfortunately, Indiana ranks number one in the nation for youth who have contemplated suicide, and number two for youth who have attempted suicide. Sadly, one only has to see or read the news to know that this problem has hit home in our own community around the Wawasee area.

There are prevention methods that can be very effectively utilized if people are empowered to use them.

Education and awareness is key. The presenter, Huntter Randall, has received glowing reviews for his presentation in other communities in Kosciusko County. He is in high demand and Syracuse has the privilege to have him for the evening to inform us on this subject in a way only Randall can do.

The event on Nov. 11 is an opportunity for all of us – media, law enforcement, business and medical professionals, social workers, parents, teachers, volunteers – to come together for a brief, yet powerful, time to learn more about how we can prevent suicide.

Question, Persuade, Refer: it is something we should all understand. Help us spread the word and join us.

Refreshments will be served.