The Portage County Suicide Prevention Coalition will mark the International Survivors of Suicide Day on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Kent United Methodist Church, 1435 E. Main St., Kent. Registration starts at 12:45 pm with the free program following from 1 to 3 pm.
The event is for people who have lived through the suicide of a family member, friend, colleague, classmate or patient. On this day across six continents, survivors gather together at events in their local communities for support, information and empowerment. This year’s program is being hosted in conjunction with the Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Hundreds of sites around the world will simultaneously watch a broadcast produced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. On the broadcast, a diverse panel of survivors and mental health professionals will address the questions that so many survivors face: “Why did this happen? How can I cope? Where can I get help?”
This is the fifth remembrance day in Portage County. Admission and parking are free. For information or to pre-register, contact: Laura Dotts at 330-673-1756, ext. 201, or email laurab@mental-health-recovery.org. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registering will help with planning. For more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention program, go to www.survivorday.org. For information about the Portage County event, go to http://www.mental-health-recovery.org/news-events.
