Beacon for Hope Suicide Prevention’s expansion efforts are now fully underway.
On KVOE’s Morning Show earlier this summer, Director Melissa Owen announced plans to expand services across southeast Kansas through a one-year, $35,000 grant through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. On KVOE’s most recent On-Air Chat program, Owen says there will be some tabling and training sessions coming soon.
At the school level, Owen says a lot of counselors already have their hands full with other topics and dealing with anxiety or suicidal ideation, especially with mental health stigmas breaking down among students, can be “overwhelming.”
Once the grant ends, Owen says Beacon will continue supporting the initiatives it plans to implement across southeast Kansas by offering suicide prevention training sessions and physical resources on a request basis.
The expanded work across southeast Kansas also comes as Beacon for Hope has started a new art therapy partnership at the Lyon County Jail. Owen says that has gone well and will restart this fall.
Information is available through hopelinks.org.
Beacon for Hope has a busy fall schedule ahead after partnering with St Mark’s Lutheran Church on the third annual Car Show for Corky’s Cupboard this past weekend. The car show had nearly 20 vehicles, generating well over 200 food items and over $200 for Corky’s Cupboard operations. Still ahead:
*Sept. 6: Hope With Horsepower Car Show, 9 am-3 pm, Soden’s Grove
*Sept. 20: Gravel Grind for Hope, 8-10 am, Lebo
*Sept. 27: Hope Links Us Together Suicide Prevention Walk, 10 am-2 pm, C of E Park
*Oct. 12: Car Show benefiting Flint Hills Technical College Wrangler Pantry, 1-3 pm, FHTC main campus
*Oct. 25: Mad! Sad! Glad! children’s event, 1-3 pm, Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building
