HOPE FOR THE DAY & WMXM (LAKE FOREST COLLEGE RADIO) PRESENT: HOPE IN THE FOREST

HOPE FOR THE DAY & WMXM (LAKE FOREST COLLEGE RADIO) PRESENT: HOPE IN THE FOREST

Three-day Campus-wide event to support suicide prevention runs April 23-25, 2015

The students of the Lake Forest College (LFC) radio station WMXM have teamed up with local, Chicago-based organization Hope For The Day (HFTD) for an event to promote suicide prevention. Hope in the Forest will be a three-day event celebrating stigma free dialogue and self-expression. This event features the collaboration of students, campus clubs, and college organizations to highlight diverse voices and unique viewpoints on these issues. Hope in the Forest aims to initiate an ongoing dialogue on campus and invites the engagement of the whole community.

American suicide rates have steadily escalated for 14 years since 2000. According to the CDC, it claims nearly 40,000 lives a year. Among youth (15-24) suicide is the second leading cause of death (CDC). The WMXM students were inspired to develop Hope in the Forest with HFTD, compelled by the impact these topics have had on their community.

On Thursday, April 23rd, from 7pm to 9pm (LFC Meyer Auditorium), a frank discussion breaking the silence around suicide will be lead by LFC faculty and members of the student body who will discuss issues and concepts related to suicide and mental health.

Friday, April 24th from 6pm to 9pm (Reid Chapel), there will be a pop-up art show populated with works by the student body and a celebration of expression featuring mixed media, paintings, slam poetry and refreshments.

Lastly, on Saturday April 25th from 11am to 1:30pm (Reid Chapel), Hope For The Day (HFTD) invites the student body and community at large to join in for a morning acoustic concert to close out this special week.

The leading obstacle to improvement is silence among the suffering and within our communities. Just like Cancer and AIDS of the recent past, we can be successful in this mission by dispelling stigma and fear of judgment that hinders outreach efforts. It only takes one voice to catalyze this discussion and the students of LFC have taken the initiative to be the united voice in their community, and this event, in conjunction with HFTD, will serve as a prelude to Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in May since 1949.

Dates: Thursday April 23th – Saturday April 25th

Location: 555 N Sheridan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045