It is difficult for adults to understand what would motivate a young person to take his or her own life. Changes in the behavior of a child are often seen as a phase or just a part of adolescence. This may or may not be the case. As parents and adults, we need to be able to talk openly with our youth.
On Monday, November 13th, Lorena ISD is pleased to be able to offer a Suicide Prevention Night. It is our hope that through education we might promote awareness and increase life-saving intervention. Our speaker, Rick Allen, has lived and worked in Waco for 37 years. He has worked as a psychiatric social worker, regular educator, special educator, counselor, and principal in non-profits, for-profits, and public schools for over 20 years. He has taught in the departments of Child Development and Mental Health for 15 years as an adjunct professor. He served one term as Waco City Councilman from 2007-2009 and has served as board member and board president of seven area boards and city commissions. After retiring from public education in 2014, he went to work as a community liaison for Cedar Crest Psychiatric Hospital in Belton, Texas, where he was regional director for Jason Foundation, the nation’s largest teen suicide prevention program. Mr. Allen has trained educators and social workers in over fifty school districts, state agencies, civic organizations and community-in-school organizations in Central Texas about suicide prevention. He currently works with Veteran’s One Stop as a case manager, serving veterans and their families in a variety of roles.
Please join us on November 13th at 6:00 pm in the Lorena ISD Performing Arts Center to learn about this very important topic. Note that this presentation and the information provided is intended for an audience of parents, guardians, and adults who work with youth. Thank you for your support.