National Suicide Prevention Week

Dear Editor,

In recognition that National Suicide Prevention Week is September 4-10, I would like to use this time to encourage the public to learn more about suicide and ways to help prevent it. Learning some of the key suicide warning signs such as feeling hopeless, withdrawing from friends and family and making suicidal statements can help save lives.

Another way to help is by participating in the upcoming Out of the Darkness Community Walk here in Fargo at Lindenwood Park on Sunday September 25th, 2011. Whether you have been touched personally by suicide or not, we encourage everyone to participate. Funds will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and its North Dakota Chapter, which funds national and local suicide prevention programs and research. To register for the walk, please visit http://www.outofthedarkness.org or call (701) 219-4110.

And please remember if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, help is available by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

- Mary Weiler
Fargo