To help bring awareness to suicide prevention, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group (KSPG) and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID) are hosting an event at 10 a.m. Aug. 21, at the Frankfort Convention Center, 405 Mero St., Frankfort.
“Times are tough. The economy, job loss, cyberbullying among youth, and post-traumatic stress among military veterans are just some of the issues facing many Kentuckians,” said Jan Ulrich, youth suicide prevention marketing specialist with BHDID. “Extreme stress can affect both physical and mental health, which can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, compulsive behaviors and thoughts of suicide in some individuals.”
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting to hear the inspirational stories of real people who are persevering through grief and loss, and are fighting to make a difference in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.
Army Major General Mark Graham and wife Carol Graham will serve as keynote speakers at the event. Motivated by the tragic loss of both of their sons, Kevin, a University of Kentucky ROTC cadet who died by suicide, and Jeffrey, an Army lieutenant and UK graduate who died in Iraq, the Grahams will share their personal story of loss and how they are leading the fight to reduce military suicides.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently nominated Major General Graham, a nationally renowned speaker, for Time magazine's 100 most influential people.
The free event will provide information and resources about how to become involved in the fight to prevent suicide. Several statewide initiatives will be announced, including suicide prevention initiatives targeting the military, colleges, middle and high schools and more.
Registration is required. Register by Aug. 7 call Ulrich at (502) 564-4456.
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