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Alaskans working in mental health will discuss youth suicide prevention in a virtual panel

Alaska Dispatch News - 11/17/2020

Nov. 17--On Tuesday, a live virtual panel hosted by Well Beings Youth Mental Health Project and Alaska Public Media will feature local experts and young people discussing suicide prevention in Alaska.

The 90-minute event, which will be live streamed at 5 p.m., is being held to bring awareness to the "risk factors and conditions that contribute to suicide, and assist with early interventions that are proven to save lives," according to a written statement announcing the event.

It is part of a national tour of similar discussions from the Well Beings Project, a public media campaign.

Panelists are Kelvin Pace, a professional counselor; Claire Rhyneer, a senior at West High School who works to end mental health stigma with the Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling project; Justin Pendergrass, a suicide prevention specialist at the My House Mat-Su Homeless Center; and Cynthia Erickson, founder of My Grandma's House, a nonprofit aiming to expose issues of child abuse and neglect in Alaska.

It will be hosted by Alaska Public Media news director Lori Townsend.

The event will also air on Alaska Insight on Alaska Public Media TV.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for adolescent Alaskans.

"Suicide is preventable and that there are many programs out there right now that are saving lives," Jason Lessard, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness Anchorage, said in a written statement. "Programs focusing on both pre- and post-vention, crisis call centers, and school outreach have all been successful in prevention work."

If you or someone you know are dealing with a mental crisis or suicidal thoughts, you can call the Alaska Careline at 1-877-266-HELP or the National Suicide Prevention line at 1-800-273-8255. For more information on the Alaska Suicide Prevention Council and suicide in Alaska, visit dhss.alaska.gov/suicideprevention.

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