Slots still available for suicide awareness event.

Slots still available for suicide awareness event.

LUDINGTON — Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital and West Michigan Community Mental Health are hosting a Suicide Awareness Community Event on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Ludington City Hall basement meeting room, 400 S. Harrison St. Lunch will be provided.

The keynote speaker will be Kevin Fisher, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Michigan. Other presenters will include:

– Professional counselor Joshua Snyder and Pentwater Police Chief Laude Hartrum discussing how the community responds when someone is suicidal. The presentation will explain the roles of 911, public safety agencies, community mental health services, hospital emergency services and the court syste.

• Bart Perry, retired battalion chief, Grand Rapids Fire Department who will teach about behavioral health concerns of first responders.
• Sonja Mayo, social worker, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, who will discuss efforts to become a zero suicide community in Mason County.
• Ellen D. Plummer, social worker, who will teach about the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale.
• Jim Snell, PhD, who will discuss the rise of teenage suicide.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Kim Goodrich at 231-843-5401 or kimg@wmcmh.org.

Health care workers receive 5 continuing education unit credits.