Nearly everyone knows someone who has struggled with depression. Now you can help by joining the 5K Walk for Depression Awareness on August 14. The walk is one of the highlights of the Mental Health Expo in Tower Grove Park.

Provident's FLITE kids hosted an international dinner August 13, 2009 as part of a service-learning project. While participants face poverty and other serious obstacles themselves, the mission of FLITE is to empower children by building skills so that they can make a difference in the community. The event raised about $3,000 to dig a well for a school in Ethiopia through Charity: Water, which raises money to dig wells in Africa.

The International Dinner program attracted more than 200 people who ate from an international array of dishes prepared and donated by local restaurants. Entertainers' wowed attendees with Ethiopian dancing, belly dancing, drumming, etc. And local artists with origins from all over the world displayed and sold their crafts and services, including a Henna expert.

As I learned of the deaths by suicide of two eleven year young boys within a week of one another, I nearly fell to my knees, realizing that this could be the fate of my son in a few years.  I could not imagine having this shining, sensitive spirit (who can also be a pipsqueak) that I have nurtured since birth four years ago, decide that the pain of living is too great to live another day.  I cannot imagine sending him to a school that does not protect him and foster his unique talents that are to be his contributions to the world.  I am appalled by the silence of teachers and school administrators that feeds bullying and a disregard for diversity when children are taunted for the perception that they may be gay.

We live in a society that does not embrace diversity, especially during elementary and high school.  From my experience with the Rainbow Youth Hotline and interaction with high school students during Gay Straight Alliance conferences, the majority of teachers and school personnel turn a deaf ear when children are taunted for their perceived sexual orientation.  Though, unfortunately, I'm sure racial, ethnic, and religious slurs may still be heard by students in school settings, I believe they would be quick to be addressed when overheard by school personnel.  However, we live in the middle of a civil rights movement for persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning their sexuality.  The suicide rate for GLBTQ youth is three times the national average, the number one cause of death for GLBTQ youth.

Please, be a voice for those whose shining spirits are being extinguished.