Advancing Suicide Care for Rural Communities

For as long as he can remember, Jon Carey of Erie, Pennsylvania has lived with dysthymia, also known as persistent depressive disorder. But it wasn’t until well into Jon’s adult years that his struggles with depression took a life-threatening turn. Then Jon met Dr. Ennio Ammendola, whose work as part of a team of suicide care experts proved life-changing for the 58-year-old biologist and father. Suicide touches the lives of many Vermonters and New Yorkers each year and is a leading cause of death across the United States. It is also a serious challenge for rural communities, where residents are at higher risk than those living in more metropolitan areas. Join us as we explore the care and support systems available across our region – and learn how the arrival of an expert team of mental health clinicians who specialize in evidence-based suicide care could expand access to life-changing care and revolutionize how our health care infrastructure identifies, treats and supports individuals struggling with suicide.