Conference on Suicide Planned

The rising risk of youth suicide and other problems faced by young people and their families will be the focus of a free conference for parents from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Betty Plasencia Elementary School, 1321 Cortez St., near downtown Los Angeles.

Workshops will deal with such topics as identifying potential signs of youth suicide; suicide prevention; gang membership as a possible form of suicide; coping with the effects of violence and tragedy on the family, and helping children develop self-esteem.

All workshops and conference sessions will be offered in English and Spanish. In addition, translation services in Armenian, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese will be available on request.

Registration forms are available at local schools or by calling the Suicide Prevention Unit at 472-4744.

Free transportation to and from the conference and child care for children at least 2 will be available. Parents needing these services must so indicate on the registration form. Completed registration forms should be returned to local schools or to the Suicide Prevention Unit, 11301 Bellagio Road, No. 4, Los Angeles 90049.

The conference is sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Unit of the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the 10th and 31st districts of the California Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students (PTSA).