Community Comes Together at Suicide Prevention Forum

Members from across the Hillsborough community met at a suicide prevention forum recently at the  Robert Gulick Auditorium.

The forum was held by BoroSAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone), the  suicide awareness and prevention committee.

The forum provided local business owners, community leaders, clergy, physicians, educators and parents with information on the role each can play in educating and providing awareness regarding suicide prevention to the community.

More than 80 people attended the event, the first BoroSAFE has held for the entire community.

“This show of attendance by community members as well as the outpouring of support and resources from local businesses and organizations exceeded BoroSAFE’s highest expectations,” said Hillsborough Township Public Schools Director of Special Services Leonore Johnston. “This forum was our first step; we started the community talking and raised their awareness of suicide as a mental health issue. The next step is educating Hillsborough and having the conversation continue.”

Attendees discussed the impact of suicide as a public health issue and put together an action plan to raise awareness that suicide is preventable and that resources are available.

Sept. 3 will mark the beginning of Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week, and BoroSAFE's goal during that time will be to conduct a community-wide campaign to educate residents on the warning signs of suicide and the actions that an individual can take to help someone in need.

BoroSAFE invites all interested community members to join in its efforts to educate Hillsborough on suicide prevention and awareness. Those interested are asked to contact Roz Bellantuono at rbellantuono@hillsborough.k12.nj.us or call 908-431-6600, ext. 2387.

If you are thinking about suicide, or anyone you know is in need of help, BoroSAFE asks you to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).