High School Will Host 'Evening of Healing and Dialogue'

East Hampton High School invites the community to gather on Wednesday night to discuss what can do to prevent student-suicide. 

It has almost been one year since David Hernandez Barros, a 16-year-old student took his own life, leading to more open discussions about homosexuality and bullying. 

Parents and students will learn about local resources for community members at risk for suicidal behavior, as well as resources for those coping with loss after a suicide. The discussion is being offered in conjunction with the New York State Office of Mental Health to promote healing and awareness of suicide prevention. 

Brooke Yonick from the Suffolk County office of Mental Health and Melanie Puorto, director of the state’s Suicide Prevention Initiative, will discuss how to identify common warning signs and what parents and community members can do, among other topics. The audience can ask questions. Refreshements will be served.

It will be held in the auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. The evening is expected to end at 8:30 p.m.

The district recently announced that East Hampton High School is one of four schools featured by Pat Breux at the Suicide Prevention Center of New York in a national webinar she presents on positive ways that schools can react to tragedy.