Sometimes, its OK to not be OK, Matt Stuckey said.
Stuckey, who along with Lori Cooper is in charge of youth ministry services at Iolas Wesley United Methodist Church, is eager to tackle the stigma related to mental illness.
Both are distressed with the rising suicide rates among youth.
This is a tough topic, Cooper said. Its an epidemic right now. Our church personally has done two funerals for youths who have passed away, and we knew we didnt want it to happen ever again
Cooper, Stuckey and a host of others are hoping to bring mental health awareness and suicide prevention more into the public sphere this weekend with 13 Reasons to Fly SEK.
The name is a takeoff of the popular Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, in which a young woman explains the 13 reasons why she committed suicide.
The two-day workshop runs Saturday and Sunday at Wesley United Methodist Church.
On top of several local health care officials, the weekend event will feature Isabelle Cole, who battled depression, anxiety and an eating disorder as a teenager.
After attempting suicide, Cole vowed to help others who had gone through similar experiences and founded 13 Reasons Why.
Cooper and Stuckey were at a United Methodist youth gathering in Kansas City when they heard Cole speak.
She really spoke from her heart and her mind, Stuckey said. Lori and I had been talking about doing an event like this for a couple of years. That was the catalyst of it all.
SATURDAYS activities begin at 10 a.m., with comments from Cole before small group workshops commence at 11:30.
Cole and other professionals will focus on signs and symptoms of depression and how to help those battling depression; coping skills and promoting positivity, kindness and self care.
The workshops will run through the afternoon.
