Community Invited to Presentations on Teen Suicide, Drug Use

Two upcoming community events are aimed at raising awareness of important issues concerning teens. 

On May 1, experts will provide information about teen suicide at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling.

“This event is being offered to our communities as we have once again experienced tragic teen suicides, leaving us grieving, fearful for teens in our own care and with many questions about teen suicide,” Scott Bauer wrote on Patch. The event is co-sponsored by Willow House and the Lauri S. Bauer Foundation for Sudden Loss, which Bauer began in his wife’s name.

The event, which will run from 7-9 p.m., will provide information about understanding, preventing and coping with teen suicide.

A week later, Dr. Joseph Lee, a leading expert on adolescent drug abuse and mental health issues will speak from 7-9 p.m. May 8 in Stevenson High School’s Performing Arts Center. His presentation, “The Adolescent Mystery: Parenting Your Teenager,” is geared toward parents with children in grades 5-12, but is open to all.

The program is free, but registration is requested at hazelden.org/chicago. The event is sponsored by Stevenson High School, Districts 128 and 214, and the Hazelden Foundation.