The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from Deacon Barney LeJeune with Jacob Crouch Suicide Prevention Services.  Crouch was a student at U.L. excelling in sports and academics and three days before his graduation, he took his life. His family began this education service in his name. Deacon LeJeune said nearly everyone has been touched by suicide.

    He quoted some startling statistics: Suicide is the 10^th largest cause of deaths in the United States with young people ages 15-24 it is the second leading cause of death. Evangeline Parish is leading the state in the number of suicide deaths with 29 suicides per 100,000 people with neighboring parish Avoyelles Parish coming in at number two.

    Among the greatest at risk are : recent divorcees, unemployment, life stress, rural residents with limited resources and experiencing a recent major loss.

    The warning signs include: coded messages like talking about dying, giving away personal property, getting their life matters in order, low self esteem, no hope for the future, changes in personality, behavior, sleep patterns and eating patterns. The warning signs occur on social media such as Facebook.

    He urges family members and friends to take these warning signs seriously, be sympathetic, and get help. Do not leave the person alone.

    The guest speaker was a guest of Rotarian Maggie Ortego.

    Rotarians were reminded of the annual Installation Banquet where the new officers will be installed at La Veille Banque June 20 at 6;00pm.