Suicide Prevention: A Community Conversation

08_07_19

Starting Point’s Next Community Conversation Focuses on the Difficult Topic of Suicide

It is a public health issue that many people don’t like to talk about, but the increase in suicide attempts is alarming. 

In Nassau County, the suicide rate is currently above the Florida state average and the number of Baker Acts (committing a person to a mental health facility without their consent) has risen dramatically over the last few years. News reports carry heartbreaking stories of young children taking their own lives, while the suicide rates among some professions such as firefighters are escalating. 

Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare is hosting a discussion about suicide at its next Community Conversations on Tuesday, May 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Nassau County Council on Aging Fernandina Beach Life Center, 1901 Island Walk Way. The event includes three individuals who will speak about suicide prevention and how to identify someone at risk for suicide, as well as the steps being taken by Starting Point to address this public health issue in Nassau County. The event is hosted by the Nassau County Council on Aging.

Speakers include:

  • Stefanie Shaughnessy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Valerie Ray, MS, LMHC, MCAP, CBHCMS, Clinical Director at Starting Point  Behavioral Healthcare
  • Robert S. Bolan, PhD., Founder, Survivors of Suicide Fernandina Beach

Suicide Prevention: A Community Conversationis free and open to the public. In addition to the presentations, there will be time for questions and discussion with the speakers. Light refreshments will be served and registration is requested. 

To register, please Email dforbes@spbh.org or call 904.415.9350

About Starting Point

Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare provides mental health and substance abuse treatment services to children, teens and adults in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. The non-profit agency serves more than 2,800 individuals each year and has been serving the region for more than 25 years. Starting Point is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). For more information, visit spbh.org.

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