Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force is hosting its 4th Annual Youth Suicide Prevention Community Forum. The event is Friday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Rd, Banquet Rooms 304 – 305. All individuals interested in discussing youth suicide prevention and care coordination are invited to attend. Visit www.oakgov.com/health to RSVP.
“Our youth are our future,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “By working together and providing support, we can help them live a healthy life. I strongly encourage participation in this important event.”
“Youth suicide is an important public health issue,” said Kathy Forzley, Manager/Health Officer of the Oakland County Health Division. “Ensuring that all community resource providers work together in an effort to provide a safety net for youth who need help is the first step in working towards a suicide-free Oakland County.”
- 4th Annual Youth Suicide Prevention Community Forum
Feature performers, Community Network Services Anti-Stigma Team, will provide a program based upon the “Wizard of Oz”, highlighting the struggle of patients seeking help. Additionally, a panel of speakers, including Luke Goode, a young man with personal experience navigating the system, will discuss challenges and opportunities regarding care coordination.
The event, in support of National Prevention Week and Mental Health Month, is open to mental health, substance use disorder, EMS, police, fire, school staff, public health, primary care physicians, pediatricians, faith-based organizations and other professionals.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) sponsors National Prevention Week during the third week of May each year. It is an opportunity for substance abuse, mental health, and suicide prevention professionals to raise awareness for these important issues. Bringing together community stakeholders who work with youth to focus on systems change and care coordination can improve the outcome of youth seeking support.
Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention 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.
For up-to-date public health information, visit www.oakgov.com/health or find Public Health Oakland on Facebook and Twitter @publichealthOC.
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