A New Approach to Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Suicide is a painful reality for too many children and adults living in America today. The topic of suicide is not easy to understand or talk about because it is often surrounded by stigma and misinformation. Many myths about suicide add to our collective confusion about how to broach the subject with someone we are concerned about, or how to ask for help if we are worried about ourselves.

The presentation will examine suicide from a slightly different perspective and provide guidelines and suggestions for identifying the signs of possible suicide risk, as well as strategies for beginning the conversation.

Future workshops will provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex issue by translating what is known through research and theory, into everyday language. By building awareness and providing useful information we hope to promote mental health and wellness among individuals and families at risk. The presentation will include time for Q&A, and a discussion facilitated by VOICES clinical staff.

Maureen Underwood, LCSW

Maureen is a licensed clinical social worker with over 40 years’ experience in navigating grief and trauma with individuals, families, and communities. In a variety of settings ranging from hospital oncology units to families and communities impacted by 9/11 and other traumatic events, she has developed a practical approach that focuses on empowering those impacted to reach for posttraumatic growth in simple yet powerful ways. She has published widely on these topics and created online training programs that translate what she has learned in the field into practical life lessons for children and adults.