Posted On: October 30, 2012| Author: Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan| Chardon Attorneys, Cleveland Attorneys, News|

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Pat Lyden, Executive Director and CEO, Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA)
216.464.3471
plyden@speaneohio.org
www.helppreventsuicide.org

Chardon, OH, October 19, 2012 – Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan, a Legal Professional Association, sponsors program for suicide prevention at Chardon High School.
Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan, a law firm headquartered in Chardon, has donated $5,000 to Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA) to support its proven suicide prevention program, Recognizing Teen Depression and Preventing Suicide, at Chardon High School.

SPEA’s proven program has already taught more than 100,000 students in 140 Northeast Ohio high schools how to identify friends who may be suffering from major depression and/or may be at risk of suicide; how to respond; and where to refer them. In response to the mental health concerns and suicide attempts by Chardon High School students following the February 27th shooting tragedy, SPEA presented suicide prevention training to Chardon High School faculty and staff on October 9 and taught parents how to recognize depression in their children during an evening session on October 11. SPEA instructors delivered the agency’s proven prevention program to Chardon High juniors and seniors on October 15 and 16 and will teach the freshmen and sophomores on October 24 and 25.

One in five high school students seriously considers suicide, the second leading cause of death for Ohio teens. Nine percent (9%) of U.S. high school students attempt suicide. Half of all lifetime cases of clinical depression begin by age 14. “Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan is honored to be part of the healing process for Chardon High School students,” said Partner David M. Ondrey. “We had several choices of projects to support, but teen suicide prevention really appealed to our partners. We’re happy to partner with SPEA,” Dale H. Markowitz, partner, said.

Suicide Prevention Education Alliance was founded by Lyman H. (Tim) Treadway in 1992, after the loss of his son to suicide. SPEA’s mission is to prevent suicide by teaching young people to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to seek professional help for themselves and others. To learn more, visit www.helppreventsuicide.org.