By: Joni Hubred-Golden

Farmington SAFE will be showcased during the National League of Cities conference, held November 19-22 in Austin, TX.

A local suicide prevention effort that began with concerns raised by several Farmington Hills city council members will be part of a “best practices” showcase during the 2014 National League of Cities (NLC) conference, held November 19-22 in Austin, TX.

City council members Ken Massey, Nancy Bates, and Randy Bruce began talking about suicide prevention about four years ago, after a police department monthly report showed a startling number attempted suicides among young people. Since then, Farmington SAFE (Suicide Awareness for Everyone) has hosted a half dozen community conversations on topics like suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered teens, and the relationship between substance abuse and suicide.

In addition, the group has launched an annual community softball game and picnic, held for the first time last August.

Massey said Monday that the NLC presentation will show other cities how to emulate the local program. Locally, he said, the City of Royal Oak has already formed a SAFE group. He has also had conversations with the cities of Saginaw, Bay City, and Southfield, and interest from Grosse Pointe.

To learn more about Farmington SAFE, visit farmingtonsafe.com or follow the group on Facebook.

More on Farmington Voice: Farmington Hills task force gets people talking about depression, suicide