In a partnership with local mental health organizations and advocates, the City of Ames is hosting a “Community Conversation on Suicide” to raise awareness about local mental health concerns and provide resources. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, in the Farwell Brown Auditorium of the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave.

Ames firefighter Sarah Chingren will open the event by sharing the story of her teenage son Vincent who died by suicide last year after struggling with anxiety and depression. After Vincent’s death at age 13, Chingren established the RedShirt Foundation with the goal of providing comprehensive mental health programming to children. The RedShirt Foundation advocates for proactively reinforcing support systems for children and offering comprehensive drug and brain health programs. 

Representatives from the Ames Police Department, Iowa State University Department of Public Safety, Ames Community School District, Mary Greeley Medical Center, YSS, and National Alliance on Mental Illness will each have an opportunity to provide facts and resources focusing about mental health issues. There will be time for questions at the end of the evening.