Oregon U.S. senator to speak about suicide

OREM — U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, will talk about suicide awareness and prevention at Utah Valley State College.

Smith will speak Monday at 10 a.m. in the Ragan Theater of the Sorensen Student Center.

Smith's son, Garrett Smith, was enrolled at UVSC when he committed suicide three years ago. The senator has written a book about the topic, "Remembering Garrett: One Family's Battle with a Child's Depression."

Between 2003 and 2004, eight UVSC students committed suicide. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tracks the statistics in two-year increments.

The office was recently awarded a grant to hire a suicide awareness and prevention director who will educate faculty, staff and students on red flags and how to refer loved ones to get help. The grant will also provide money for research on the reasons behind the high suicide attempt and completion rates in Utah and at UVSC.