Crouch Foundation and VOA Suicide Prevention Programs

Suicide claims the lives of more people in the United States each year than murder, is the 10th leading cause of death of Americans, and is preventable!

The highest suicide rate was among people 45 to 64 years old last year with the second highest rate among people 85 years and older. Also in 2014, a person in the United States died by suicide every 12.8 minutes.

Those of us in Acadiana are not immune from this growing problem. Lafayette Parish public high school students were surveyed and results show that last year:
- 31.8% of students experienced depression
- 18.6% considered suicide
- 9.3% attempted suicide

In an effort to educate people in the Acadiana area about suicide and its causes, Lori Bienvenu, Executive Director, Crouch Foundation and Germaine DeRouen, LCSW-BACS, MPH of Volunteers of America-Acadiana will present a program entitled Just Listen-How Listening can Prevent Suicide.

The program uses education and outreach to bring to light the signs and symptoms of suicide. Insight will be given on helping those suffering from suicidal thoughts, chronic mental illness and depression along with highlighting the services Crouch Foundation and Volunteers of America provide in their community.

Just Listen - How Listening Can Prevent Suicide will be available on the following dates in the following locations:

New Iberia
Tuesday, September 8, 1 PM
Iberia Parish Library Main Branch
445 E. Main St

Opelousas
Wednesday,  September 9, 1 PM
Opelousas Police Dept
Community Room
318 North Court Street

Lafayette
Thursday,  September 10, 6 PM
Lafayette Public Library
301 W. Congress