FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Hillsborough, NC (August 19, 2019) – From 2013 to 2017, 66 Orange County community members lost their lives to suicide. On Friday, September 20th Healthy Carolinians of Orange County, in partnership with the Orange County Health Department, are hosting the “Be the Light” Suicide Prevention Walk to support survivors and to share how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide and what to do if a loved one or friend is in danger. Event details:

     Friday, September 20, 2019 "Be the Light" Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk

• Carrboro Town Commons, 301 West Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
• 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Meet at the pavilion.
• LED lights will be provided. No open flames allowed.

The featured speakers are:

Joanna Bowen: an attorney, a mental health supporter and a career advocate of under-served populations.  Bowen serves as director on both the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Orange County and NAMI North Carolina boards.  Bowen is an advocate for policies that support mental health awareness and access for all to mental health services, beginning in early childhood and continuing through the lifespan.  She will speak to the need for policies that halt discrimination against individuals living with mental illness and that enable everyone to engage fully in their lives at home and in their communities.    

Jodi Flick, LCSW, ACSW: a Clinical Associate Professor with the School of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill. She is a member of the N.C. Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Triangle Coalition for Suicide Prevention and she facilitates the Chapel Hill Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group. Showing a true passion for her field, Flick was also a crisis counselor with the Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Unit for 19 years. She provided counseling, victim assistance, and crisis intervention in traumas such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and family issues. She initiated a suicide support group that has served more than 200 people on a volunteer basis. Flick will speak about the risk factors for youth suicide.

As a visual reminder of the 66 Orange County community members who lost their lives to suicide from 2013 to 2017, 66 pairs of donated shoes will be on display. To donate shoes, or if you are a vendor who wants to share information related to mental health, suicide and injury prevention, contact Ashley Rawlinson:
arawlinson@orangecountync.org
919.245.2440.

After the walk the shoes will be donated to the Club NOVA Thrift Shop.
For more information on suicide prevention and these events go to: http://www.orangecountync.gov/362/Suicide-Prevention
 
Media Contact
Kristin Prelipp, Public Information Officer
Phone: (919) 245-2462
Email: kprelipp@orangecountync.gov