Monroe Temple to host free suicide awareness program on March 31

By Christine Urio
MONROE — The Monroe Temple on North Main Street will host a free suicide awareness/prevention program called “Ask a Question, Save A Life” on Sunday, March 31, beginning at 9:15 a.m.
This event is organized by the Men's Action Club (MAC) of the Monroe Temple of Liberal Judaism, in conjunction with the Mental Health Association in Orange County Inc.
The training will be provided by Angela Jo Henze of the Mental Health Association (MHA).
Eben Hill, an attorney in the mental health field and president of both MAC and MHA, wanted to do something positive for the community.
“This seemed like a wonderful opportunity for two groups to get together to make a very important difference, and potentially save someone's life,” he said.
The event is a training for community members on how to recognize and respond to individuals in crisis in order to prevent suicide from being an option. Participants will be taught the Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) curriculum, which is considered a nationally recognized best practices program.
“Too often you read about people who have completed suicide and it's particularly heartbreaking when it's someone young,” Hill said. “Friends and family are left wondering, ‘I wish I could have done something but I didn't know what to say or do,’ This training will give individuals the tools to spot someone in crisis and learn how to approach them, as well as allow them to learn about available resources and how to get individuals the help they need.”
Hill said this is an important for the community to attend because the stigma of mental illness needs to be broken down.
“There is a lot of stress and negativity in the world, times are tough and now more than ever we need to be able to help each other, so this is an opportunity for members of the community to come together,” said Hill. “Mental illness does not distinguish between religion, age, race, financial status, or sex, it's something that can impact anyone at anytime, and while the training should be of particular interest to parents, teachers, coaches, students, mentors, etc., it's really for anyone and everyone in the community.”
Additional InformationTo learn more, email Hill at: MonroeMACPrez@gmail.com
For specific questions about mental illness, suicide prevention or services, call the Mental Health Association in Orange County Inc. at 342-2400.
The 24-hour crisis intervention and referral line: 800-832-1200.