In one-week schools from across the county will partner in an event designed to bring awareness and resources to the community.
Local school counselors are joining the push to encourage the public to attend the ‘Adolescent Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Night’ on Monday, February 26th.
The free event sponsored by the Tuscarawas Area Counseling Association will feature information on the topic of Teen Mental Health and Risky Behaviors.
It will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Margaret D. Storey the lead mental health and school counselor at Perry Local Schools in Canton will begin the presentation where she will share her first-hand knowledge and experiences related to mental health in young people.
The Perry Local School district has been the center of media attention over the last several months following a significant number of suicide deaths among current and past students.
Perry Township and area Stark County communities are considered to be facing a ‘suicide contagion,’ according to Crisis and Intervention experts.
Following Dr. Storey’s presentation Tuscarawas County Deputy Adam Fisher will speak more about risk behaviors involving teen social media use.
The third and final speaker will be from the Tuscarawas County Board of Alcohol Drug Addiction and will feature information about services to teens in the area.
Following the discussion there will be a panel discussion and a time to ask questions and hear more in-depth suggestions on any concerns the public may have.
Jon Coventry from Community Mental Health and Jodi Salvo, a member of the Anti-Drug Coalition and who works closely with the drug and opioid task forces, will join the previously mentioned presenters in the discussion.
The entire community is encouraged to attend to gather information, knowledge, and insight for our children, students and teens.
Michaela Madison Reporting
