USC Verdugo Hills conference will address suicide prevention

An upcoming conference at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital aims to bring awareness about suicide and shed light on resources available for those who may be in need or want to point loved ones to get help.

The free conference for residents, both young and old, will be held on Sept. 10 on what is known as “Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day.”

“There aren’t a lot of worldwide days of anything. But there’s a growing worldwide problem around suicide,” said C. Luke Jackson, who is helping organize the event.

Jackson is the program director for gero-psych services at the hospital and manages its inpatient psychiatric unit and outpatient program serving those who are 50 years old or older.

For many, he said, it takes courage to overcome the fear of talking about suicide, which is what led to the title of the conference: “Having Couragous Conversations About Suicide Prevention.”

“We understood that there’s a great stigma attached to even thinking about suicide, much less committing suicide,” Jackson said. “That stigma often prevents people from getting help.”

Among the panel of speakers at the event will be Robert David Jaffee, a suicide survivor who will share his own experience with depression.

“He went through a very dark period of his life. He’s going to share with the audience what that experience was like … and bring a message of hope,” Jackson said.

Attendees will also hear from other panelists, including those employed by agencies that work with suicidal people and learn how to look for signs indicating someone may be contemplating suicide. Participants will also learn where to turn with their concerns.

Suicide rates continue to increase across demographics, Jackson said, including children, veterans, the elderly and minority groups.

According to the World Health Organization, about 800,000 people take their lives each year, and many more attempt to kill themselves.

“The more we talk about it, the more we find answers,” Jackson said.

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 10 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, located at 1812 Verdugo Blvd.

Participants are encouraged to register for the free event at uscvhh.org/suicide-prevention-conference.

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan