Lawrence community members gathered for poetry, music, some laughs and a few tears at the 11th annual Words Save Lives event on Tuesday, which was World Suicide Prevention Day.
Marcia Epstein, Lawrence mental health social worker, believes communication is the first step toward suicide prevention and that artistic expression saves lives. She organizes the annual event aiming to bring together people who have had hard experiences in a space that provides safety, connection and compassion.
HeadQuarters Kansas is available to help people in crisis. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text “HELP” to 988. HeadQuarters can also be reached at its local number, 785-841-2345.
Chat online with a crisis support counselor at 988lifeline.org/chat. Find additional resources on the main website at 988lifeline.org.
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Carter Gaskins (he/him) has been a photographer for The Lawrence Times since April 2021. He has also been a photographer for 10-plus years in photojournalism and sports.
Check out more of his work at Gaskins-Photography.com. See his work for the Times here.
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