Ozark Centers Beacon of Hope event raises suicide prevention awareness [Video]

JOPLIN, Mo. — September is suicide prevention awareness month, a worldwide commitment to preventing suicides.

To do that, the Ozark Center Crisis Services are helping others become a beacon of hope.

“It is taking lives and we want to change that in our community. We want to change that,” said Debbie Fitzgerald, Ozark Center Crisis Services Director.

To do that, the Ozark Center Crisis Services kicked off its Beacon of Hope event.

“Citizens can come and learn more about how to be a beacon of hope for someone who’s having a crisis that could possibly turn life-threatening,” said Fitzgerald.

Ozark Center Crisis Services Director, Debbie Fitzgerald, says an American attempts suicide every 25.5 seconds, and every 10.6 minutes someone’s life is lost to it.

Forest Park Baptist Church, The Alliance, American Foundation for Suicide, and Joplin Police Department each set up tables with resources and activities.

“We know that suicide …