Among the keys to suicide prevention seem to be education, intervention and empathy.

It is with these ideas in mind that the annual Suicide Prevention Conference will be conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spooky Nook Sports, 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. The conference is being sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Coalition, a subsidiary of Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC).

"I think we could cut down on 90% of suicides in Lancaster County," said Kim McDevitt, the executive director of MHALC. "We want to teach people how to have tough conversations."

As part of World Suicide Prevention Month, the Suicide Prevention Conference is expected to draw 250 people, mostly mental health professionals, to Manheim. But the conference is also meant to serve laypeople and community members who have been impacted by suicide.

The Suicide Prevention Conference will feature a number of renowned presenters, including keynote speaker Earl Granville, and will conclude with a panel discussion. Among the topics to be addressed are how to sit with someone who wants to die, supporting co-workers, the power of community and creating a culture of prevention.

"There's a huge need in our community," said Liz Grubb, education director for MHALC and the director of the conference. "I think education is power when it comes to prevention. We're trying to view people with worth and value. We're tackling a culture shift."

The statistics are alarming. Lancaster County averages about 70 suicides each year, and as of July, a total of 41 county residents had taken their own lives in 2023.

"Our county is in line with the national averages," said Grubb. "About two out of three adults believe they don't have enough knowledge to identify the risks of suicide, but eight out of 10 would like to have more knowledge. When we see something, we have to speak up."

Stress, anxiety and depression are some of the leading factors associated with suicides.

"It's an impulsive decision," said McDevitt. "They think that no one cares. The brain tricks them into thinking no one cares."

Located at 245 Butler Ave., Suite 204, Lancaster, MHALC has a mission is to educate people about mental health and support the county's mental health needs.

"We are the hub of mental health providers," said McDevitt. "We are the go-to for people seeking mental health education and support. We're taking down barriers. We're pushing for hard conversation."

To register for the Suicide Prevention Conference, go to http://www.mhalancaster.org/conference. The deadline to register is Sunday, Sept. 10.