Lake Co. 'healing conference' to help those touched by suicide

People who have lost a family member or friend to suicide are being encouraged to participate in the third annual observance of National Survivors of Suicide Day in Lake County.

Sponsored by the Lake County Coroner's office, the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force and the village of Mundelein, the event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Mundelein fire station, 1000 Midlothian Road.

Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said the event, which features a broadcast of speakers addressing emotional support and available resources, is a “healing conference” for those touched by suicide.

“Just knowing that you are not alone in your experience of losing someone has a great salutary effect,” Keller said. “Also, knowing where you can get more information and support can be critical, because your feelings, grief and questions will not go away quickly.”

The broadcast will be screened at the fire station from noon to 1:30 p.m. and will be available as a webcast at the website of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, www.afsp.org, for the next year.

If you are planning to attend the broadcast at the fire station, call Tammy Williams at (847) 377-2436 or e-mail twilliams2@lakecountyil.gov.

Grant extended

A federal grant that has been supporting victim services in Lake County since 1991 has been extended for another year.

State's Attorney Michael Waller said the grant, administered through the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, will go to support a sexual assault victim counselor in his office.

Waller said although state funding of prosecutor victim services has been reduced by 20 percent since 2008, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act enacted in 2009 increased funding for the grant by 17 percent that year and 12 percent for fiscal year 2010.

Of this year's total grant amount of $61,127, $54,629 will go to pay the counselor's salary and $6,498 will be used for training and printed materials.

Waller said the training and printing expenses were necessary to ensure sexual assault victims receive specialized services and pertinent information early in the recovery process.