Anthony Ianni, the first-known athlete with autism to play Division 1 college basketball at Michigan State University, and Kinetic Affect, a Kalamazoo-based spoken word duo who appeared on America's Got Talent, will be the featured motivational speakers at an upcoming suicide prevention event for youth and families at Oakland University (OU), County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced this week.
Oakland County's Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force will host the "Journey of Hope: Stopping Stigma, Ending Suicide" event on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Upper Level Banquet Room A at the Oakland Center on the campus of OU, 2200 N. Squirrel Rd. in Rochester Hills, in support of National Suicide Prevention Month. Attendees can explore the resources available in Oakland County to help prevent youth suicide.
"A few years ago, Oakland County Health Division worked with its community partners to put together the Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force to coordinate suicide prevention efforts in Oakland County," Patterson said. "It's an important public health issue and we want to ensure anyone who is interested in preventing youth suicide is aware of the resources available to them."
Parents, grandparents, youth, professionals who work with youth, high school and college students with interest in behavioral health, social work, human services, wellness, and/or health science are especially encouraged to attend, as well as those that have been impacted by suicide.
"Ensuring that our youth and families are aware of community resources before a need arises is a vital step in ending mental health stigma and preventing suicide in Oakland County," said Kathy Forzley, manager/health officer of the Health Division. "This event is also an opportunity for individuals who do not have experience with mental health to learn how they can support others in need."
The task force recommends that attendees pre-register at oakgov.com/health. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be available in lot P1 on the OU campus. Attendees should enter the Oakland Center at the main doors.
"Holding this event in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity to positively impact our community and break down the stigma that is associated with mental illness as it is one of the greatest barriers that prevent people from seeking help," said Willie Brooks, CEO of Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority. "When we focus on encouraging help-seeking behaviors and ending stigma in our community, we can help young children, youth, and their families thrive."
This event has been made possible with funds from the Transforming Youth Suicide Prevention grant held by Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority in partnership with Oakland County Health Division.
For up-to-date public health information, visit www.oakgov.com/health or find Public Health Oakland on Facebook and Twitter @publichealthOC.
Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force has developed a plan based on evolving best practices to focus and coordinate suicide prevention efforts in Oakland County. The task force will guide and implement these activities by engaging public and private stakeholders. Task force partners include Oakland County Health Division, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, Common Ground, Oakland Schools, Beaumont Health, Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, Easter Seals, Oakland Family Services, Training & Treatment Innovations, Oakland University, and G. Colombini Counseling PLLC.
Published: Fri, Sep 16, 2016
