Pontiac, MI - Oakland County Suicide Prevention Task Force will host a Community Discussion from 9 a.m. – noon on Sept. 28 at Oakland Community Health Network, 5505 Corporate Dr., in Troy.
The theme of the event is “The Reasons I Speak” and will feature speakers sharing personal stories about their experiences with suicide to help educate the community about how best to support individuals moving through a suicidal crisis.
“Stories help provide perspective, reduce stigma, and inform our efforts to prevent suicide in Oakland County,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, director of Oakland County Health and Human Services. “Learning how to better help those in crisis is important to prevent tragedies from occurring.”
The Task Force is also seeking input from the community to help guide future suicide prevention efforts. Participants can share their opinion on the impact of suicide in their community, identify resources needed to prevent suicide attempts and deaths, and the supports essential for people to connect to behavioral health care services.
Suicide deaths in Oakland County are up 12 percent in 2023 compared to this time last year with 125 total deaths to date. Last year, suicide deaths in Oakland County peaked at their highest number since 2019. Firearms account for over half of the suicide deaths at the local and national level.
Event registration is requested at oakgov.com/suicideprevention. Breakfast will be provided courtesy of Havenwyck Hospital. Community resource tables highlighting local organizations will also be onsite.
About the Oakland County Suicide Prevention Task Force
The Oakland County Suicide Prevention Task Force has developed a plan to focus and coordinate suicide prevention efforts in Oakland County. Our partners will guide and implement these activities by engaging public and private stakeholders with the vision of zero suicides in Oakland County. The mission of the Task Force is to connect partners throughout Oakland County who are committed to preventing suicide across the lifespan and promoting hope and healing to the community.
More information about suicide prevention can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or