Forum for suicide prevention set Oct. 7 at Area 30

Young people today face an enormous amount of pressure that many adults have never endured. From bullying to the dark sides of social media, some teens may not be able to handle the pressure and begin to think the only way out is to take their own lives.

Recent research compiled by Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) showed that suicide has been the second-leading cause of death for Hoosiers between the ages for 15 and 24 since 2009.

Indiana also has the highest rate of students who have thought about taking their own lives (19 percent) and the second-highest rate for students who have attempted suicide (11 percent). A caring and alert adult could save a young person's life by simply knowing the warning signs and how to help.

That's why IYI is hosting a suicide prevention workshop to help youth workers, coaches, teachers, parents and others learn how to spot the symptoms of suicide.

The forum will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Community Room of the Area 30 Career Center in Greencastle.

Speaker Greg Allen is a certified trainer for mental health first aid and crisis prevention intervention at the Hamilton Center. Allen will discuss the prevalence of suicide, warning signs and how to talk to someone who may be considering suicide.

As part of IYI's Youth Worker Café program, the forum and lunch are free, but reservations are required. RSVP by going to www.iyi.org/YWC. If you have trouble with the website, contact IYI Statewide Outreach Manager Debbie Jones at djones@iyi.org.

Youth Worker Cafés are designed to bring together local youth workers to build relationships and inspire collaborations that will benefit children.

The Youth Worker Café is made possible by the collaborative efforts of the Children's Bureau Inc., United Way of Putnam County, Putnam County Youth Development Commission, Mental Health America of Putnam County and IYI. It is funded in part by the Old National Bank Foundation.

For more information on the Youth Worker Café, persons may contact IYI West Central Indiana Outreach Manager Katie McGaughey at kmcgaughey@iyi.org.