Suicide awareness presentation to be given Sept. 23 by Dennis Gillan

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths in 2024. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. That year, an estimated 14.3 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 4.6 million planned a suicide attempt, and 2.2 million attempted suicide. 

Residents here know all too well that Ozark County is not immune to the devastating issue. In recent years, this community has endured a number of heartbreaks at the hands of suicide, a rippling effect that forever changes the lives of friends, families, neighbors and many others. 

A community event that is now being organized in Gainesville is aimed at tackling that sensitive subject in hopes of bringing awareness and preventing more suicides in the future. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 23, everyone is invited to gather at Gainesville High School for a free meal and presentation by Dennis Gillan, founder and executive director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. The program, titled “Difficult Conversations Save Lives: a Conversation About Suicide and the Hope to Prevent It,” will involve an engaging and hope-filled discussion about recognizing the warning signs, starting a conversation and supporting those who may be struggling.

“You are not alone — that’s the whole message, boiled down,” Gillan told the Times. “I’ve given that talk over 500 times, and it never gets old, because every room has someone who needs to hear it that day. I’m looking forward to Gainesville because this town deserves that conversation just as much as anywhere I’ve been.”

The free meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria with the presentation to follow at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.

 “This is an important conversation for our community to have,” Misty Cullipher with Gainesville Schools told the Times. “Mental health affects every family in some way, and we want to make sure people have the knowledge and confidence to support those who may be struggling. Dennis Gillan brings a message that is honest, practical and relatable, and we are pleased to have him in Gainesville to share his story and help start these conversations.”

Gillan, a nationally recognized speaker on mental health and suicide prevention, lost two brothers to suicide, 11 years apart. After years of working through grief, he made the decision to break his silence and help others begin the conversations that are often the hardest to start. Drawing from his personal experience, Gillan speaks with honesty, compassion and understanding. His presentations encourage people to look out for one another and strengthen the connections that help make a community healthier and more supportive.

The presentation will focus on practical ways to recognize when someone may be in distress, how to start a conversation about mental health and how families, schools, churches, organizations and neighbors can work together to reduce the stigma that too often keeps people from seeking help. Gillan’s goal is to give community members the tools and confidence to recognize when someone may be struggling, start meaningful conversations when they are and take action to support one another.

Cullipher says that the Gainesville School District will also be hosting a short daytime student presentation with Gillan for high school students that afternoon. In addition to its own Gainesville High School students, the district is also inviting all other Ozark County high schools to bring their students to the presentation. “We feel Mr. Gillan’s message is vital for our young people,” she said. 

The program is made possible by funds from the Stronger Connections Grant, along with a generous donation from Mammoth Assembly of God Church, which earmarked the funds for Gainesville School District initiatives focused on suicide prevention and mental health support. 

“We would be honored for all to join us to hear this powerful and meaningful message,” Cullipher said. For more information, call the school at 417-679-4200 or email mcullipher@gainesville.k12.mo.us.