Campus Connection

Former NFL quarterback Eric Hipple will share his story of rising to the pinnacle of his football career and falling through depression during La Crosse’s fourth annual Suicide Prevention Summit. The summit will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the La Crosse Center South Hall, 300 Harborview Plaza. Prior to the summit, people will gather for a Suicide Awareness Event Wednesday evening at Riverside Park, including a free informational walk and music by “Three Legged Marley.” The summit aims to increase understanding of suicide, its prevalence and risk factors for specific populations. It will also help the expected 400 participants gain tools for prevention, assessment and intervention. Hipple, an outreach specialist for the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center, joins other national as well as local speakers who will present on topics such as bystander intervention, the relationship between suicide and chemical abuse, and higher rates of suicidal thinking and behavior among LGBTQ youth compared to their heterosexual peers. Registration for the full conference is $75 and includes refreshments, lunch, materials and continuing education hours. A pre-conference “Train the Trainer QPR Gatekeeper” session from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at UW-L’s Centennial Hall is $425. For more information or to register contact Mary Grattan at 785.6502 or mgrattan@uwlax.edu. For more details visit www.uwlax.edu/conted/suicideprevention/index.html If you go — What: Pre-Conference When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 Where: Centennial Hall, UW-L Admission: $425 What: Suicide Awareness Event When: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 Where: Riverside Park Admission: Free What: Suicide Prevention Summit When: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 Where: La Crosse Center South Hall, 300 Harborview Plaza Admission: $75