October 11, 2006
For Immediate Release
For more information:
Don LaVange
(801) 863-6455
Oregon Senator to Speak on Suicide Awareness at UVSC
UVSC and the Center for the Study of Ethics will host Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., Oct. 23 at
10 a.m. in the Ragan Theater. Smith’s speech will focus on suicide awareness and prevention. The topic is one he is familiar with as his son, Garrett Smith, committed suicide while attending UVSC only three years ago.
“The Ethics Center was honored to support Smith’s good efforts,” said David Keller, director of the Center for the Study of Ethics. “The topic of suicide prevention and intervention is crucial for all students, including our own here at UVSC.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently awarded UVSC a grant that will enable UVSC to hire a suicide awareness and prevention director who will educate faculty, staff and students on things such as the red flags of suicide and how to refer friends or family members to get help. The grant will also provide for a funded research team of UVSC students and faculty who will study the reasons for the high suicide attempt and completion rate in Utah and at UVSC.
The grant came from the Garrett Smith Memorial Bill, which Smith created shortly after his son’s suicide. The bill gives support for mental and behavioral health services on college campuses, as well as funds for statewide youth early suicide intervention and prevention programs. President George W. Bush signed the act into law in 2004.
Admission to the event is free and open to the public.
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College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written By:
Valerie Chapman
(801) 863-8504
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