*This article is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek professional help immediately.
Journey Bank Community Arts Center in Williamsport will be hosting speaker Duane Kyles for an event, The Greatness of Hope: A Community Night of Encouragement, on Tuesday, March 24th at 7:30PM. The event, in partnership with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Northcentral PA, is FREE to the community thanks to the Doherty & Kelley families, who are key sponsors. The Doherty and Kelley families are underwriting this in memory of their father, Doug Doherty.
This presentation focuses on teen mental health, which is a critical and urgent issue. Nationally, nearly 1 in 3 adolescents report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and over 20% of teens have seriously considered attempting suicide. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among youth and young adults. These statistics highlight the importance of early education, open conversation, and strong community support systems to help teens feel seen, valued, and supported.
“It’s easy to get lost in all of the noise constantly around us”, said Krista Snyder, NAMI of Northcentral Pa volunteer. “It can be hard to hear yourself, find your voice, and use it. Our community has a bigger support system and supports each other more than most ever see. This is an opportunity to say to everyone, we hear you, your voice matters, you are important. We step up for each other, and when you feel silenced, we still want to hear you. We want to be a part of the hope offered. Stigma grows in silence and darkness. We want to offer space to be heard and to be a light.”
According to his website, Kyles is on a mission to help students live out their greatness and choose hope by reducing the silent weight of insecurity, isolation, and despair that too often leads young people to consider suicide. “I speak life, teach practical mental-wellness tools, and remind students they matter,” writes Kyles. Snyder goes on to say, “Duane’s talk will be focusing on bullying, hope, ending the mental health stigma, and the importance of connections. We are focusing on turning pain into purpose and finding what our purpose is.”
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 49,000 people committed suicide in 2023, which is 1 death every 11 minutes. In addition, 12.8 million seriously thought about committing suicide. In 2024, U.S. suicide rates climbed to levels not seen since 1941, where the age-adjusted rate climbed to 14.7 deaths per 100,000 people and exceeded 49,300 in total. 2025 and 2026 show similar numbers, indicating little relief in the near future.
“Events like this simply aren’t possible without our community partners stepping up in so many different ways,” said Rachel Baker, NAMI of North Central Pa President. “This event is personal to me because mental illness doesn’t exist in isolation. It lives in our homes, our families, and our communities. Too many people around us are quietly carrying heavy battles believing they are alone or under. This gathering is our way of saying you matter, you are supported, and you don’t have to do this by yourself. When we show up together, we replace shame with hope and silence with connection. By surrounding our neighbors with resources, compassion, and understanding, we begin to break the stigma and remind them that there is strength in being seen, heard, and held by a community that cares.”
“Mental health and wellness impact our very core,” said Kathy Snyder, NAMI secretary. “It helps us articulate who we are, our purpose, and insights to being confident and leads to stronger families, impacts our workplace, strengthens our communities. When we come together to remove past stigmas and barriers, we can recognize the strengths of each individual and strive for wholeness. Our adolescents and teens have more distractions than ever. The noise of social media, demands of school, sports, activities, and peers creates a heavy weight to carry. It’s important to educate ourselves on how we can help, what to say, signs to look for, and how to encourage. It helps us all be better and to be that supportive community who can convey, You Are Not Alone.”
Few people have been untouched by suicide, and most people know at least one person who has taken their own life. In our region, numbers are up, which concerns local authorities. “While serving as EMT, Registered Nurse, and Coroner, I have looked at all unnatural deaths trying to determine those that are preventable,” said Charles Kiessling, Lycoming County Coroner. “Suicide deaths are preventable if we can get help to those persons suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.”
*Save the date*
10th Annual South Williamsport Suicide Prevention Walk.
Saturday, April 18th, 2026. 12-3 p.m. The event begins at the South Williamsport Sports Complex.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate help and know that the world is much better off with you in it.
Important Resources:
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 in the United States for free and confidential support 24/7.
• Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-SUICIDE, 1-800-784-2433
• Lycoming County Crisis Intervention: 570-326-7895
• Clinton County: text 741741
• Center for Community Resources: 1-844-707-3224, or text 63288
• Walk-in Center – 800 W. 4th St., Williamsport
