Suicide prevention forum to feature Bob Rae The Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition will hold its annual general meeting on Friday, Nov. 9, at the Oakville Conference Centre, located at 2515 Wyecroft Rd. The event, which begins with a networking breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed by presentations from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., will feature guest speakers Toronto Centre MP and Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Bob Rae and Dr. Amy Cheung, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry with the University of Toronto. Rae, who introduced a motion at the House of Commons calling for a national suicide prevention strategy for Canada, will discuss the status of that strategy. Cheung, whose research focuses on the management of depression in adolescents, will discuss the issue of youth depression and school-based suicide prevention strategies. Officials point out there is no shortage of reasons to continue the dialogue on suicide prevention in Halton. "Thirty people die by suicide in Halton every year," said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health. "More than 400 are hospitalized annually from attempted suicides. And for every death by suicide, at least six people are directly impacted. As a community, we need to work together to offer hope, reduce suffering, and save lives." There is no charge to attend the meeting, however, an RSVP is required. Space is limited. Those wishing to attend are asked to register online at www.halton.ca/suicideprevention, by e-mail at accesshalton@halton.ca or by telephone by dialing 311 (within Halton), 905-825-6000 or 1-866-4425866. 9 · Thursday, November 1, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com For the latest news, visit oakvillebeaver. com