Community Conversation Breaks Silence Around Domestic Violence, Suicide

Speakers at a Monday forum hosted by the Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force say the topics are related by shame and stigma.

Speakers at a Monday night community conversation at Farmington Hills city hall spent more than an hour talking about two things nobody really wants to talk about: abusive relationships and suicide.  To get help with depression or suicidal thoughts, call Common Ground at 1-800-231-1127, Samaritan Counseling at 248-474-4701 or the National Suicide Prevention hot line at 1-800-231-TALK. Cristy Cardinal, director of prevention education for HAVEN, which provides services to those experiencing domestic and sexual violence, said feelings of shame and self-blame are also common in both.  "It's really important to think about how those feelings are shared feelings," she said. "Forty percent of survivors of domestic violence have attempted suicide…

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Dane Gussin

9:16 am on Saturday, April 27, 2013

Every now and again you've got to remind yourself that it's difficult if not impossible to argue with stupidity.   more ›

Suicide Prevention Task Force Conversation Focuses on Domestic Violence

The April 24 event, which is open to the public, explores the connections between abusive relationships and the risk of suicide.

The Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force will host a Community Conversation Wednesday at Farmington Hills City Hall, focusing on abusive relationships and the risk of suicide. Studies show that women in abusive relationships are at higher risk of attempting suicide than those in healthy relationships. Dating abuse among teen boys and girls is growing, with many teens at risk of experiencing emotional and verbal abuse as well as controlling behavior and sexual pressure. The Suicide Prevention Task Force is encouraging open dialogue about the warning signs of abusive behaviors in relationships and will provide information on how to find help from local resources. Featured speakers at the 7 p.m. Community Conversation will include: …

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5 Things You Should Know About Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention

A Wednesday conversation at Farmington Hills city hall focused on the connections among drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues and suicide.

More than 40 people who attended a Wednesday "community conversation" learned that studies show a connection between substance abuse, mental health issues and suicide.  During the 2-hour presentation, speakers included Dr. Ryan Blackstock, a clinical psychologist with the Michigan School of Professional Psychology, Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus, Farmington Public Safety Director Bob Schulz, 47th District Court Judge Marla Parker and Al-Anon representative Mitch Seelye. Here are five things you should know about the presentation: The event was the fourth in a series of events sponsored by the Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force and Graham E. Smith Memorial Fund. Farmington Hills city council members Nancy Bates, Randy …

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Speakers Added to Feb. 13 Suicide Prevention Community Conversation

The meeting hosted by the Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force focuses on the relationship between substance abuse and suicide.

The Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force has announced additional speakers will be featured at a Community Conversation on Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., at Farmington Hills City Hall. The conversation will focus on the interrelationship between substance abuse, mental health, and suicide. The event is open to all members of the community. Robert Schulz, Director of Public Safety for the City of Farmington, and Diane K. Zalapi, MS, Vice President with the Michigan School of Professional Psychology join a roster of panelists that includes: A growing body of evidence suggests that alcohol and drug abuse are second only to depression and other mood disorders when it comes to risk factors for suicide.  People with substance abuse disorders are …

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Learn More About Suicide, Substance Abuse Ties at Feb. 13 Event

The Community Conversation at Farmington Hills city hall examines evidence that substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.

The Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force invites area residents to discuss the ties between substance abuse, mental health and suicide at a Feb. 13 Community Conversation.  The 7 p.m. meeting at Farmington Hills city hall is the latest in a series of conversations the Task Force has hosted on topics related to Internet and social media, depression and suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.  According to a City of Farmington Hills press release, a growing body of evidence suggests that alcohol and drug abuse are second only to depression and other mood disorders when it comes to risk factors for suicide. People with substance abuse disorders are more than three times as likely to consider, plan or attempt …

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Oakland County to Host Teen Suicide Forum Monday

The evening will include a panel of local experts at Birmingham's Holy Name Catholic Church.

Oakland County residents are invited to attend an informative community discussion about teen suicide Monday in Birmingham. A panel of experts from the Rose Hill Center, Common Ground, Oakland County Health Department and the Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force will discuss the signs, symptoms and other risk factors of suicide. If you or someone you know needs immediate help with suicidal thoughts, go to an emergency room or call 911. For help with coping with stress, depression, family crises, drug or narcotics abuse and other issues, contact Common Ground Mental Health and Crisis Intervention at 800-231-1127, Samaritan Counseling Center at 248-474-4701, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifelife, 800-273-TALK. The panel …

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Addicted to Facebook? Panel Discusses Consequences of Social Media Overload

The Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force hosts a community conversation that explores how social media affects mental health.

Fatigue. Moodiness. A sense of disconnectedness. Loss of interest in hobbies.  Those are all signs of depression. And they may also be signs that you're spending too much time on-line.  Panelists at a Wednesday community conversation spoke for nearly two hours at Farmington Hills city hall about how the Internet, and social media in particular, affect mental health. About 40 people attended the event, hosted by the Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force (FASPTF).  Mark Ostach, a Farmington High graduate, led the discussion. Working with engineer Paul Loe, Ostach created mymentalspace.com, which provides Internet users a tool to help control the time they spend online.  Ostach said "Internet use disorder" has been recommended for …

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Speakers at Farmington Hills Suicide Prevention Forum Shed Light on LGBTQ Issues

Organizers say they hope Wednesday's event at Farmington Hills city hall sparks more community conversations.

Teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) are five times more likely to attempt suicide, up to four times more likely to abuse drugs and have a 28 percent greater high school drop-out rate than their heterosexual peers.  But about 30 people who attended a suicide prevention community conversation at Farmington Hills city hall Wednesday learned there are things parents and community members can do to help kids beat those odds. First on the list: talking about it.  Emcee Anna Cassar said the increased risk of suicide and other problems are the result of social isolation, chronic peer abuse, rejection from parents and the message that being LGBTQ is "bad" or "wrong".  "We are not here to engage in any …

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Community Conversation Tonight in Farmington Hills Focuses on LGBT Youth

Research shows that suicide attempts are disproportionately high among youth who are members of the LGBT community.