Morrisville’s Norwich Campus hosting suicide prevention forum: “Voices of Hope”
(Photo by Zachary Meseck)
NORWICH – The SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus will host a suicide prevention forum on Monday with a crisis specialist, social workers, and other individuals who have either battled with or lost someone to suicide.
The forum named, “Voices of Hope: Community Forum on Understanding and Preventing Suicide,” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, at the Norwich Campus Community Room. It will feature a panel of at least four speakers, and a question and answer session after the panelists speak.
According to Voices of Hope Representative Sierra Nebel, this an opportunity for the public to learn more about suicide prevention and hear the stories of those who have struggled with suicide.
“According to the American Psychological Association, suicide rates tend to be high in rural areas in part because there is greater access to firearms, few healthcare providers and medical facilities,” said Nebel. “Hopefully by educating people we can reduce the stigma of suicide, and make people aware of the warning signs.”
She said event organizers wanted to bring together a variety of people from different kinds of education and life experience relating to suicide. She added that the speakers will include a social worker from the Norwich School District, a representative from Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT), and a person who has attempted suicide.
One speaker, Kelly Collins-Colosi, has a Ph.D. in Psychology, and her master’s degree in Social Work. Nebel said she currently practices as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Norwich City School District, and for the past 17 years she has worked with adolescents in the school setting, providing a variety of mental health services and support to students and their families.
Another speaker, Gretchen Robinson, started her career in law enforcement, then moved on to become a therapist for. Nebel said Gretchen is currently a crisis counselor for MCAT where she connects people to services and provides emergency counseling for those she comes in contact with.
The third speaker, Danielle Marshman Williamson, grew up in Oxford on her family farm and for the majority of her life has lived and worked in Chenango County. Nebel said she is an advocate for suicide prevention and awareness, and she is dedicated to helping those whom have lost a loved one to suicide.
Voices of Hope Representative Marsha Diane said attempted suicide survivor Britney Cooley will also speak at the event.
“Cooley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work,” said Diane. “[Cooley is] committed to helping others whom faced similar childhood traumas.”
Diane said Cooley wrote an autobiography called, “Strength Personified a Personal Story of Tragedy to Triumph,” that highlights her struggle with suicidal thoughts and actions. She added that Cooley travels, telling the story of her attempted suicide, what she did to overcome her tragedy, and how she became the person she is today.
When asked about the importance of hosting a suicide prevention forum in Norwich, Nebel said, “I’ve seen a lot of tragedy with youth in our area.”
“Hopefully people will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about suicide prevention, and about how they may be able to help friends or family who need it.”
The forum named, “Voices of Hope: Community Forum on Understanding and Preventing Suicide,” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, at the Norwich Campus Community Room. It will feature a panel of at least four speakers, and a question and answer session after the panelists speak.
According to Voices of Hope Representative Sierra Nebel, this an opportunity for the public to learn more about suicide prevention and hear the stories of those who have struggled with suicide.
“According to the American Psychological Association, suicide rates tend to be high in rural areas in part because there is greater access to firearms, few healthcare providers and medical facilities,” said Nebel. “Hopefully by educating people we can reduce the stigma of suicide, and make people aware of the warning signs.”
She said event organizers wanted to bring together a variety of people from different kinds of education and life experience relating to suicide. She added that the speakers will include a social worker from the Norwich School District, a representative from Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT), and a person who has attempted suicide.
One speaker, Kelly Collins-Colosi, has a Ph.D. in Psychology, and her master’s degree in Social Work. Nebel said she currently practices as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Norwich City School District, and for the past 17 years she has worked with adolescents in the school setting, providing a variety of mental health services and support to students and their families.
Another speaker, Gretchen Robinson, started her career in law enforcement, then moved on to become a therapist for. Nebel said Gretchen is currently a crisis counselor for MCAT where she connects people to services and provides emergency counseling for those she comes in contact with.
The third speaker, Danielle Marshman Williamson, grew up in Oxford on her family farm and for the majority of her life has lived and worked in Chenango County. Nebel said she is an advocate for suicide prevention and awareness, and she is dedicated to helping those whom have lost a loved one to suicide.
Voices of Hope Representative Marsha Diane said attempted suicide survivor Britney Cooley will also speak at the event.
“Cooley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work,” said Diane. “[Cooley is] committed to helping others whom faced similar childhood traumas.”
Diane said Cooley wrote an autobiography called, “Strength Personified a Personal Story of Tragedy to Triumph,” that highlights her struggle with suicidal thoughts and actions. She added that Cooley travels, telling the story of her attempted suicide, what she did to overcome her tragedy, and how she became the person she is today.
When asked about the importance of hosting a suicide prevention forum in Norwich, Nebel said, “I’ve seen a lot of tragedy with youth in our area.”
“Hopefully people will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about suicide prevention, and about how they may be able to help friends or family who need it.”
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