Mental health summit takes place tomorrow morning in Poplar Bluff
CAPE GIRARDEAU Mo. (KBSI) – “It’s nationwide at all the VA’s and this is an excellent opportunity for us to partner with our community members, exchange resources.
Amy Helm is the Local Recovery Coordinator for John J Pershing VA Medical Center.
Wednesday the community comes together for a suicide prevention summit gathering several speakers and resources for anyone of any age to come and learn about mental health and suicide prevention.
“We are able to do some really good networking. A lot of us are in this line of work because we want to help others so if we are able to expand our knowledge base and allow those resources to help individuals it’s a wonderful summit to be a part of.”
Helm has been working in this field for years and says its events like these that bring her joy.
She enjoys helping people recover from any mental struggles they are facing.
“My heart is with those people that feel like I am alone, like there is where I am drawn.”
This comes as Heather Williams and Rick Strait continue to call upon the community to reach out to those who are struggling as they are with the Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau.
“Suicide is one of those things that does not discriminate. It touches all ages, and it impacts everyone.”
Rick Strait is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator; he thinks events like the summit tomorrow in Poplar Bluff and outreach opportunities across the area will help normalize sensitive topics like suicide to the public, so others are more open to talk.
“When we get to talking about suicide as common as asking someone to pass the ketchup or pass the salt when it’s just as common as that then we’re really going to make a difference.”
The Mental Health Summit focuses on suicide prevention and depression.
The summit is for teens, students, veterans, elders, and anyone who has dealt with trauma or struggles with mental health.
The summit will take place tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. and runs through 3:30 in the afternoon.
