As the former Director of Prevention Education programming offered by Safe Futures (formerly The Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut), I was heartened to learn from the research cited in the article, “Study: New London, Groton have lower teen suicide attempt rates,” (July 17), on suicide among youth, that both New London and Groton were among four of the 119 districts studied that had lower than expected rates of suicide.

Safe Futures’ education department has partnered with both of these school districts over the past 25 years empowering elementary through high school youth with anti-bullying and Healthy Dating Relationships programs and lessons on empathy, communication and creative problem solving skills, creating community and a sense of connectedness.

These are the known protective factors for suicide and other forms of violence. I applaud these two school districts for their unwavering support for these and other high quality programs. 

Anne Wernau

East Lyme