Village Of New Lenox: Suicide Prevention And Awareness Event

NEW LENOX, IL — In support of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Village of New Lenox and its Safe Community Coalition, with the support of Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210,will host “A Pathway to Hope and Healing” Sept. 21 at Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 Gougar Road.

Breakout sessions will run from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and repeated from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Breakout Session #1 - “Learning to Live With Loss”

This session will be presented by Linda Pacha, who lost her teen son to suicide in 2013. She is the founder and president of Nick's Network of Hope, a suicide prevention and grief support nonprofit. Linda's book "Saving Ourselves from Suicide—Before and After: How to Ask for Help, Recognize Warning Signs, and Navigate Grief" is an Amazon best seller. Linda practiced law before raising her family. Prior to receiving her law degree, she received her undergraduate degree in psychology and completed postgraduate studies in clinical psychology. Linda and her husband live in Naperville.

The Learning Objectives for “Learning to Live With Loss” include:

• Learning a more practical understanding of grief stages and how skills obtained from past abrupt life changes can be used to work through grief.
• Learning to identify choices after loss and reasons to keep pushing on.
• Learning to understand the importance of forgiveness for healing and how to train your brain to stay positive.
• Learn tips for navigating grief and helping someone who is grieving.

Breakout Session #2 - “QPR - Question, Persuade and Refer”

Gia Washington, director of community education at Sertoma Centre, Inc., will teach QPR, which is the CPR of mental health. This 1-hour class increases public awareness of suicide and improves one’s ability to identify and refer those at risk for suicide. Participants learn about the impact of suicide in America, common myths and facts surrounding suicide, warning signs, risk factors and protective factors. Participants are equipped to intervene early by learning how to question, persuade and refer persons who are at risk for suicide. Participants are identified as Gate Keepers upon completion of the training.

Keynote Speaker – 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Linda Pacha will present “Suicide Prevention: Hindsight, Warning Signs, and Hope.” Linda will talk about her son’s story, share missed warning signs, and discuss the importance of kindness and compassion. Learn the risk factors and warning signs for suicide, including real-life examples. Obtain tips for helping someone who is struggling.

Informational Tables / Food / Beverages / Raffle – 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Please visit informational tables, pick-up literature, and speak to representatives from numerous organizations that specialize in mental/behavioral health. Also, grab a bite to eat and a beverage while you network with others. We will have a drawing for some nice raffle prizes during this segment, which you won’t want to miss.

For additional information regarding this event please contact Daniel Martin, Safe Community Coordinator, Village of New Lenox, via email dmartin@newlenox.net or by phone (815) 462-6493.

This press release was produced by the Village of New Lenox. The views expressed here are the author’s own.