East Lyme — The Brian Dagle Foundation Inc., in cooperation with the East Lyme Youth Services Bureau and the East Lyme Youth Coalition, has announced that it will host on Thursday the fifth annual community forum on mental health and suicide prevention.

The educational forum, "Keep the Conversation Going," will be held beginning at 7 p.m. in the East Lyme High School auditorium. 

A panel of guest speakers will include Kurt Palmer from the National Veterans Crisis Hotline, Officer Dave Cruickshank of the Law Enforcement Research Group and Doug Cappazi from Guardians of the Purple River. State Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, and First Selectman Mark Nickerson will begin the evening with remarks regarding suicide prevention and mental health throughout the community.

"Please join us as we discuss the important issues of mental health and suicide prevention with the members of our law enforcement personnel, veterans and the community," the news release states.

The foundation and the town said they "have and will continue to collaborate their efforts on education and supporting the community to increase the awareness of mental health and suicide prevention."

Additional information is available by contacting Ann Irr Dagle at ann@brianshealinghearts.org or David Putnam, director of East Lyme Parks and Recreation and Youth Services, at (860) 739-5828.