Neighbor News
Lisle Township Hosts Youth in Crisis Summits
Local schools, non-profits and agencies discuss preventative action on youth suicides
LISLE, IL, December 20, 2017 – Lisle Township hosted two summits on youth mental health and suicide prevention over the last month, one at the Woodridge Public Library and the second at the Lisle Police Department. Participants represented a variety of community organizations, including Lisle School District 202, Naperville School District 203, Downers Grove North & South, Lisle Police Department, Naperville Police Department, DuPage County Board, Naperville Township, Lisle Township, Downers Grove Township, DuPage County Department of Health, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) DuPage, 360 Youth Services, Hope for the Day, and a parent group in Downers Grove.
“We felt it was important to bring these organizations together to discuss recent suicides of local students, and build a coalition of governmental, non-profit and school groups,” said Lisle Township Supervisor Mary Jo Mullen. NAMI DuPage provided a presentation on breaking down the stigma of openly discussing mental illness and suicide. The group had roundtable discussions on the services each organization provides and barriers this group can work to break. Many participants shared their personal stories of loss and struggle. “It was clear that mental health issues and suicide touch the lives of all in our community and must be openly addressed to save our families from loss and suffering,” Mullen added.
“Addressing the issue, finding the necessary tools to help people with mental illness and working to remove the stigma is very important. When a suicide takes place, it is devastating to loved ones and the community. I look forward to more discussion and taking positive action going forward,” said Liz Chaplin, DuPage County Board member for District 2.
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Lisle Township plans to host monthly working group meetings with the goals of further increasing the amount of participant organizations, developing a list of resources, and creating a plan of action the group can collaborate on. “Together, we can accomplish more and make a greater impact on the children, teenagers, and families in our communities,” said Mullen.
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