St. Michael-Albertville Schools Hosting Suicide Awareness Event

The , in partnership with Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), is sponsoring a presentation to prevent suicide through public awareness and education.

The district, and SAVE, hope to serve as a resource to those touched by depression and suicide. 

Parents and children from the school district and around the community are invited to join SAVE at 7 p.m. Monday, January 30 at the Performing Arts Center.

Join the organization for this presentation to learn how to help, and to become a support circle for children and their friends.

SAVE’s presentation and education programs are designed to:

• Increase knowledge about depression
• Increase knowledge about symptoms and warning signs of suicidal thinking and behavior
• Increase understanding & the use of intervention skills that can help avoid the tragedy of suicide

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota´s suicide rate has risen from 8.9 per 100,000 (deaths) in 2000 to 11 per 100,000 in 2007. Most suicides are associated with diagnosable and treatable mental illness and/or alcohol and substance abuse.

SAVE is a leader in producing safe, targeted and effective suicide prevention awareness campaigns, according to its website, that can be incorporated into the suicide prevention programs in a community.

High School students in attendance will receive an hour of community service.

Middle School students may earn extra credit in their health classes.