BEND, OR -- Local school districts and law enforcement agencies are holding community meetings to help parents and teens talk about youth suicide. The second in a series of forums was held Monday night at St. Charles Bend; they're part of the region-wide "Hope and Help" campaign launched last month. Sean Reinhart, with Bend-La Pine Schools says they want to help start the conversation. "It's really about raising the conversations between parents and their children regarding the issue, destigmatizing the conversation around suicide and helping to get out resources."
David Visiko, with Deschutes County Mental Health, says the forums help families get started. "I think that this is a community issue. So, we're really trying to engage people to start talking about mental illness to break that stigma; break the silence about talking about suicide. We encourage people, all people to get trained." He tells KBND News that talking about it does not increase the suicide risk, "There's such a silence and stigma around mental health that they're afraid to talk about it with anyone. So, if someone asks that question, they're actually pretty relieved to be able to finally talk about something that's a problem that they think is unsolvable and to be able to talk with a trusted adult who is trained, in order to get the help they deserve."
To listen to our full conversation with Sean Reinhart and David Visiko, click HERE.