Huntington families, community leaders gather to discuss suicide prevention, mental health

HUNTINGTON COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA) - Families and community leaders gathered at Huntington North High School on Tuesday night to discuss suicide prevention and mental health.

Organizers said they want to break the silence around a topic many are still afraid to discuss.

Public health officer Dr. Matt Pflieger, who is leading a community initiative based in Huntington County, joined the conversation. His initiative is focused on suicide prevention based on his own experiences after losing his son.

The initiative includes a list of resources available in Huntington County covering a range of services. Stickers listing those resources are being placed on government buildings, schools, businesses, and non-profits.

Organizers said the initiative is built around the idea that suicide prevention and mental health should be treated as a community issue. Several organizations are working with Pflieger on the effort, including a suicide prevention task force called H.O.M.E.