Students Invited to Suicide Prevention Awareness Program
JONESBORO – As a way to honor survivors and to remember lost loved ones lost, four organizations are sponsoring a program intended to prevent suicide through education and intervention.
The Counseling Center at Arkansas State University, the Celebrate Recovery Ministry of First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, the Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Searcy, and the Counseling Graduate Student Organization are hosting the program Monday, Nov. 17.
The keynote speaker will be Dan Newsom former board member of the Dr. Robert Elliott Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Newsom will present "A Lifeline of Hope . . . A Personal Story of Lessons Learned in Loss" beginning at 7 p.m. in the Carl R. Reng Student Union Auditorium. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
A native of Paragould, he is a graduate of Crowley's Ridge College and Harding University. He worked for the Social Security Administration for 33 years, retiring in 2007 as District Manager in Searcy.
Dr. Pat Glascock, associate director of A-State's Counseling Center, explained why the program is so important.
"Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students. Almost a third of all students have felt so depressed that it was difficult to function," she said. " 'Lifeline of Hope' provides participants with tools to recognize the warning signs of depression and suicide so they will be able to assist their friends and loved ones to get help."
Newsom will share his experiences and lessons learned from his sister, Sharon K. Hoyt, who suffered from depression and died by suicide. A time for honoring the Survivors of Suicide journey will follow his presentation.
"Lifeline of Hope presenters like Dan Newsom share, regrettably, how they realized only in hindsight how desperately their loved ones needed help," Glascock added.
Newsom now serves as executive director of the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc. He also serves as vice chair of the Board of Trustees for Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould and as an elder at the College Church of Christ in Searcy. He served for several years on the board of the Elliott Foundation.
The mission of the Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation is to educate the public about the disease of depression, save lives, and restore hope. A representative from the foundation will be available with information and resources.
Parking is available in the parking garage located next to the Carl R. Reng Student Union (GPS 101 N. Caraway Road). For more information about this program, one may contact the A-State Counseling Center at (870) 972-2318 or at AState.edu/a/counseling-services/.
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