Suicide prevention forum Thursday

East Lyme - The Youth Services Bureau is inviting the community to gather for a forum on suicide prevention Thursday evening.

Kevin Dolan, a University of Connecticut student; John Holt, a sports reporter and anchor at WFSB Channel 3; and Nena Lake, a licensed social worker, will speak at the forum.

The program is an opportunity to teach the community about the potential warning signs of suicide, as well as the services available through the town's youth bureau and the state to help prevent suicide, said David Putnam, the director of the town's Parks, Recreation and Youth Services departments.

Contributions in memory of Brian Dagle, a 2010 East Lyme High School graduate who worked in the recreation department's playground program, are underwriting the forum. More than 4,000 people donated to the Youth Services memorial fund, which Dagle's parents initiated. Dagle committed suicide in November 2011.

Brian Dagle's friends have continued to raise funds for suicide prevention and organize initiatives in his honor, including a fundraising walk in October in which they collected more than $14,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dolan, one of the speakers, helped form "Team Dagle" in honor of his friend at the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention walk at the University of Connecticut.

At the event Thursday, Dolan will discuss losing a friend to suicide. Holt, who recently held a suicide prevention fundraiser, will discuss losing his own brother to suicide.

Lake, who is also an adjunct professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut, will discuss issues including responding to a depressed or possibly suicidal youth and statistics on suicide.

Putnam said he would consider holding a forum on suicide prevention once or twice a year. For additional information on the event, contact him at (860) 739-5828.

k.drelich@theday.com