WVU Parkersburg hosting suicide prevention presentation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A suicide prevention presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday (Oct. 9), in the theatre at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65. Each year, over 32,000 people in the United States die by suicide. Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.

Dr. Libby Powers, area physician, will be the featured speaker. The presentation is free and open to the public. She serves as an advocate for suicide prevention and has appeared on local television and radio promoting awareness of suicide prevention. She also successfully organized the area’s first “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk this past August.

In addition to Dr. Libby’s presentation, Dr. Gary Nelson, local pastor, will feature a book signing of his latest release “A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression.” Dr. Nelson has recently appeared on WTAP’s Day Break sharing his family’s personal experience with depression and suicide.

A candlelight vigil will take place following the presentation in the campus courtyard.

Thursday’s presentation is part of the campus “Mental Illness Awareness Week” activities. Other events include a campus Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday (Oct. 8) in the multi-purpose room, and Bipolar Awareness Day on Thursday (Oct. 9), being observed from 10 a.m. to noon outside the campus Library. Thursday events are being sponsored by the Psi Beta Psychology Honor Society, the campus Psychology Club, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mid-Ohio Valley affiliate, and Astra Zeneca.

cd10/07/08

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)

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