Wichita State University will partner with Sedgwick County, the City of Wichita and the Wichita Journalism Collaborative to host a free Suspenders4Hope Preventing Suicide Training from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Advanced Learning Library located in downtown Wichita.
This event is free and open to the public, but the training is geared toward community leaders and media influencers. Sedgwick County Commissioner Sarah Lopez, City Councilwoman Maggie Ballard and Ascension Via Christi President Robyn Chadwick will speak during the event.
The goal of this Suspenders4Hope event is to unify messaging around solution-focused journalism, elevating the message of hope and resiliency when it comes to the topic of mental health and suicide. The training reminds participants that we all have a story to tell. It also teaches about the importance of vulnerability in inspiring others to get help and reduce the stigma of getting help.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Free pizza and Suspenders4Hope T-shirts will be available to the first 100 members registered.