Hundreds of suicide prevention advocates will dine together Wednesday evening, Oct. 18 in the University of Washington’s HUB Grand Ballroom to experience Forefront Suicide Prevention’s Restoring Hope event. Registration ($50/individual, $500/table) is required, and includes dinner and parking.

The program celebrates Forefront’s fifth year as an innovation center within the University of Washington School of Social Work. This inspirational evening includes music by two UW students, with a live interview with Bill Radke and brothers Arthur and Galen Emery.

“We have a stigma in our culture around mental health, particularly in young men around experiencing depression and sadness,” said Galen Emery. “Forefront addresses this by bringing the conversation into the open. I hope that individuals take away just how important it is to have those conversations with their loved ones.”

Funds raised at this event will support Forefront’s programs and initiatives, including:

Forefront in the Schools & Campuses, which supports 29 high schools and 13 higher education campuses in comprehensive suicide prevention.

Forefront Cares, which supports the newly bereaved with care packages and one-on-one peer mentoring.

Safer Homes, Suicide Aware, which offers ground-breaking suicide prevention training for pharmacists, health care providers and firearms retailers.

Responsible Reporting Media Training, which ensures student and professional journalists report safely on suicide and engages with media to change the conversation about this issue.

“Supporting suicide prevention and in particular, Forefront, is important because it helps break down the invisible barrier to discussion we have erected around mental health,” said Arthur Emery. “I hope that everyone who gets a chance to see and hear our talk will understand that opening up about suicide and mental health is paramount to bringing about a tectonic shift in the mental health space.”

Champions of Change Awards Ceremony

Forefront’s event will also honor winners of the Champions of Change awards, who have made significant impact on suicide prevention. Pictured from left to right:

Anna Ratzliff, MD, Sue Eastgard Training Excellence Award
David Yamashita and Kathleen Gilligan (co-winners), Tina Orwall Community Advocate Award
Senator Joe Fain, Legislator Award
Bill Radke and Matt Martin of KUOW, Washington Award for Excellence in Coverage of Mental Health & Suicide

ABOUT FOREFRONT: A social impact center housed in the UW School of Social Work since 2013, Forefront led the historic passage of six pieces of legislation – forging Washington’s path as the first state in the nation to require suicide prevention training for mental health professionals, doctors, nurses, teachers, and schools. Forefront is focused on ending suicide by championing suicide prevention, leading systemic change, and advocating for the many family and community members affected. www.intheforefront.org