No More Silence: Suicide Task Force Wants Your Stories
PA's new Suicide Prevention Task Force launches a statewide listening tour in September.
There might be nothing more difficult to discuss than suicide, but many experts say talking about suicide is the only way to prevent it. Pennsylvania's new Suicide Prevention Task Force wants to hear what you have to say about the issue, so they're holding a listening tour around the state starting in September .
The task force wants input on a comprehensive suicide prevention plan.
People affected by suicide through their own experience or a loved one are invited to share their experience to help the task force as they work to come up with a comprehensive suicide prevention plan for Pennsylvania.
"We've heard from many people looking to share their personal stories to raise awareness, combat stigma, and help prevent suicide however they can," said Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller.
"These listening sessions will allow Pennsylvanians to speak directly to the task force, and their voices will help shape and strengthen a plan that can help the state and our partners do more to prevent suicide and reduce stigma around mental health and suicide," said Miller.
Here are the details for listening sessions:
September 12 -- Erie
- 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend
- 4701 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563
November 7 -- Pittsburgh
- 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Jewish Healthcare Foundation
- 650 Smithfield St, 26th Floor
- Pittsburgh, PA 15222
November 8 -- Slippery Rock
- 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Slippery Rock University
- 102 Robert M. Smith Student Center
- 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Additional sessions will be scheduled through September, October, and November in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, and Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southcentral Pennsylvania. Click here for more dates and locations as they are announced, and for more information on Pennsylvania's Suicide Prevention Task Force .