The Newtown Public Schools Recovery Project has slated its next community forum, “Caring for our Youth, Signs of Suicide (SOS),” to take place Thursday, June 5, from 6 to 7 pm, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street.

The forum will highlight the relationship between depression and suicide, teaching that most often suicide is a fatal response to a treatable disorder – depression, according to a release.

Participants will learn the early warning signs of depression and will discuss how depression is an illness that can be treated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children and adolescents ages 11 to 18 in the United States.

The Signs Of Suicide Prevention program teaches students that some secrets should be shared and if a friend talks about hurting himself/herself or someone else, it’s important to ACT by “Acknowledging” the friend, “Caring” for the friend, and “Telling” worries to an adult.

The community forum will also share a video that explains how important it is for everyone, as a community, to be aware of how to help a young person, or anyone, in trouble.

The forum will be facilitated by David Jacob, LCSW, Recovery Project Director, and by District Health Coordinator Judy Blanchard, MS, CPP.

The Newtown Public Schools pupil services staff was able to bring the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program to Newtown Middle School and Newtown High School this year due to funding from the Department of Education School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant and the generosity of the Mental Health Screening Organization.