Editor's note: This event is open to the media. Please contact Deborah M茅ndez-Wilson at (303) 492-3117 about attendance.
A free event aimed at giving people the tools they need to detect depression and prevent suicide among youths, elders and others will take place on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus.
"The Gatekeeper's Keys: Tools for Depression and Suicide Intervention" is slated to take place 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 29 in room 235 of the University Memorial Center.
Keynote speaker Nancy Page, who lost her mother and son to suicide, will address the group from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Event sponsors include CU-Boulder, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Boulder County, the Boulder Valley School District, the Boulder County Prevention Connection, Compass House, Colie's Closet and the Parent Engagement Network.
"We're asking anyone who routinely interacts with young adults or elders - two groups at risk for depression and suicide - to consider attending this important event," said Amy Robertson, CU-Boulder's suicide prevention coordinator. "We can all make a difference by educating the public and raising awareness."
Organizers are encouraging school counselors, academic advisers, bus drivers, athletic coaches, teachers, professors, health care providers and others to attend.
According to data gathered by The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention in 2001, suicide is the ninth-leading cause of death in Colorado.
Some 30,000 people commit suicide each year in the United States, or one person every 17 minutes, according to state statistics.
Data collected by state agencies also indicates that an estimated 9,600 Coloradans seriously contemplate suicide each year and approximately one-half to two-thirds are not being treated for their symptoms.
Anyone wishing to attend should R.S.V.P. by Nov. 17. CU-Boulder faculty and staff should contact Evelyn Ogg at (303) 492-2937 or Evelyn.Ogg@Colorado.edu. Boulder educators and other citizens should contact Kendra Wilczewski at (303) 499-4624 or Kendra.Wilczewski@bvsd.org.