Social work class hosts suicide awareness conference

The Student Center Ballroom was filled with community members and students from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday who were interested in learning about starting the conversation about suicide and depression.

Suicide: Starting the Conversation, a conference put on by the SW 435 Methods III: Organizations and Communities class, aimed to create awareness surrounding suicide and depression, and dissolve the stigma about conversations regarding these touchy topics.

Around 300 people listened to speakers and participated in activities discussing the topic of suicide. The class has been planning the conference since last spring.

Planning and running the conference is a requirement for graduation for social work students. The class had a budget of $8,000 and was instructed to put on a good conference, according to the main fundraiser, Maaryn Davis 23, senior of Chadron.

According to Davis, this was the biggest suicide event to be held in the surrounding area.

Speakers ranged from professional presenters to survivors of those who have suffered from suicide. Kevin Hines’ documentary was presented at the end of the of the conference on his experience with surviving suicide. A panel of counselors and local mental health advocates answered questions from the crowd to wrap up the conference.

Davis said there was good feedback from various attendees that they learned a great deal from the conference.