Barry Marks, a licensed educational psychologist, will discuss suicide prevention at a free community lecture, 6 p.m. April 15 at Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center, 1120 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.
Marks, who lives in Lompoc, will use evidence-based methods to instruct attendees on offering help when someone is considering suicide, according tot he Lompoc Hospital District Foundation, which is sponsoring the event.
Suicide is reported as the 11th leading cause of death overall in the U.S., with some 49,000 suicide deaths annually. It is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34.
During his talk Marks will discuss:
• What is, and is not, considered a suicide possibility.
• What to avoid when faced with a possible suicide situation.
• How to find resources and support.
Marks works in pro bono student advocacy, and is a trainer for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the North Santa Barbara County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center.
He is past president of the Lompoc Mental Health Association and was chair of the Advisory Council for the Central Coast Agency on Aging. He has been active for years in suicide prevention efforts and has trained suicide hotline volunteers.