University of Arkansas

Everyone Has Role in Preventing Suicide; Local Forum to Explain Warning Signs, What to Do

School of Social Work brings experts together to discuss solutions

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Faculty and students in the University of Arkansas School of Social Work along with the Northwest Arkansas Suicide Prevention Coalition will present “Suicide Prevention: Everyone Has a Role,” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in the Parish Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. The event is free and open to the public. A free dinner will be served for everyone who attends, beginning at 5 p.m. Continuing Education Units are available for social work and mental health practitioners who participate.

This community forum will begin with a presentation on the statistics, warning signs, action steps, and prevention of suicide in Northwest Arkansas. A panel discussion will follow featuring Michael Collie, clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work; Jared Sparks, director of clinical practices at Ozark Guidance; Carol Jackson, coordinator, veterans justice outreach program, Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks; Julie Moore, program manager, Arkansas Crisis Center; and Detective David Williams, Fayetteville Police Department.

This event is co-sponsored by the following School of Social Work student organizations: the Phi-Alpha Honor Society; the National Alliance on Mental Illness, University of Arkansas Chapter; and the Social Work Action Group.

Mary Katherine McKinley, vice president
NAMI-UA
870-830-3895, mmckinle@uark.edu

Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations
University Relations
479-575-3583, voorhies@uark.edu