Memorial to offer seminar on teen suicide prevention

The numbers speak for themselves: Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 24.

On Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m., Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Service will present a one-hour seminar on Teen Suicide Prevention. The program will be held in the Medical Center Auditorium, 621 10th St.

Topics will include suicide risk factors, protective factors, recognizing suicide warning signs, and steps you can take to help someone who may be suicidal. Suicide’s aftermath and coping strategies for survivors also will be discussed.

Presenters will be:

• Virginia M. Finch, P.M.H.N.P., Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Virginia has 14 years of nursing experience in emergency medicine and is a graduate of the SUNY at Buffalo Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program. She is a member of the WNY Chapter of the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association and Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing.

• Lynette M. Angus, L.C.S.W., Supervisor, Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Lynette has worked in the mental health field for a number of years and has experience dealing with adults, adolescents and families. Her specialty is dealing with grief and loss and she has worked with a number of suicide survivors.

This is a free program and refreshments will be provided. To register, please call 278-4604.