Mental Health, Suicide Awareness Discussion In Cranford Thursday

CRANFORD, NJ - Parents of children in grades 6-12 are invited to Cranford High School to hear one family's quest for mental health awareness in the wake of a devastating suicide.

"Remembering TJ…..by raising awareness for mental health" presentation begins at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by The Cranford Public Schools Parent Academy in partnership with the Cranford PTC and local community organizations.

Attendees will hear from the family of T.J. Sefcik and their story of teen depression, lessons and hope. According to the Sefcik family, on Dec. 1, 2010, 16-year-old cherished son, brother, friend, varsity athlete and honor student T.J. Sefcik died by suicide. This program provides students, parents and educators a view of what teen depression can look like. It educates them to pay attention to their mental health and emotions, something that is often pushed to the side. They describe many of the red flags often dismissed as typical teenage behavior.

The program involves storytelling, fact sharing, slides and videos that weave the Sefciks' experience into a program that leaves attendees better equipped to identify and deal with mental health situations for themselves and others.

The program is appropriate for:

• middle school, high school, and college students
• teacher in-service programs
• parent programs
• corporate lunch-and-learns
• clinician workshops and forums
• law enforcement and first responders

There is no fee for the program.

To learn more go to: http://ow.ly/rLc750mb4VV

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