Kate Spade's tragic death in June 2018 is a call to all of us to continue the conversation surrounding mental health and suicide. The MSMSA October 24 annual Fall Focus event is a state-wide but grassroots effort to normalize the conversation regarding mental health and suicide removing the burden of stigma and shame. While Kate Spade/Frances Valentine will lend a national name, we will also partner with a Grand Rapids foundation called iunderstand. Vonnie Woodrick founded iunderstand in 2014, 9 years after her husband Rob lost his battle with depression to suicide. As a suddenly single mother of 3 children, Vonnie faced abrupt isolation as a result of the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. Our event format will be a forum/luncheon, short and to the point allowing those who are employed to easily join us. The representative from Kate Spade and Vonnie will share their perspectives on mental health and suicide with a talk during the lunch service with an informal question and answer session immediately following. Resources will also be shared.

Please contact KAMA’s Jan Utter by 10/10 if you are interested in attending.