Milton to host community forum on suicide

The Atlanta Out of Darkness Community Walk last October raised more than $325,000 for suicide prevention efforts. Milton will hold a “Community Conversation” on suicide Tuesday, Sept. 10. CONTRIBUTED

The Atlanta Out of Darkness Community Walk last October raised more than $325,000 for suicide prevention efforts. Milton will hold a “Community Conversation” on suicide Tuesday, Sept. 10. CONTRIBUTED

In observation of World Suicide Prevention Day and National Suicide Prevention Week, the city of Milton announced a free community forum, “Suicide: A Community Conversation,” for Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Milton City Hall. Held in partnership with The Summit Counseling Center, it will offer a panel of parents, counselors, medical experts and youth leaders. Two Milton mothers, who lost their Cambridge High School teens to suicide, will share their stories.

“Through this open conversation, we’re hoping to reduce the stigma and shame of mental health issues and suicide, and bring awareness to the community,” said forum moderator Jason Howard, care pastor at Stonecreek Church and associate therapist with The Summit.

Seating is limited, and registration is required. To register: https://miltonconversation.eventbrite.com The forum will be live streamed at cityofmiltonga.us and recorded for later viewing on the website.

Milton also will host “trusted adult” training with The Summit at 5 p.m., Sept. 22, at City Hall. The training is free and is for anyone seeking to learn how to identify, respond and react appropriate to warning signs and risk factors of suicide, the city said.