With September being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Forsyth County officials have scheduled an inaugural seminar looking at statistics, warning signs and prevention methods for an issue that's a growing problem in the area.
The free event will be held Wednesday, September 20 at the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College and will feature a wide array of experts on the issues surrounding suicide.
According to District Four Comissioner Cindy Jones Mills, the event is in response to a rising number of suicides nationwide and in Forsyth County.
"So far this year, the county coroner has worked 22 suicide cases and nationwide, suicide has now become one of the leading causes of death for young people," said Mills.
The event's goal is to "end the stigma" surrounding suicide according to Mills.
"Forsyth County has been the most 'well' county in the state five years. I have thought about that. The health on the outside. But health and wellness is also about the inside as well," Mills said.
Health professionals will be on hand at the event to answer questions and provide resources to attendees. There will also be a panel discussion among mental health experts and guest speakers who will share their stories of loss and survival.
Mills said she hopes the event will be the first of an ongoing series looking at suicide prevention.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 at the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College at 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd in Cumming.
