Every day, a Kansan dies of suicide.

Every month, one or two people in Douglas County die by suicide.

Every 16 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide.

Every 17 minutes, someone is left to make sense of it.

National Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, Nov. 21, and the public is invited to watch a 90-minute American Foundation for Suicide Prevention broadcast and then participate in a local discussion.

The event will be from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Nov. 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H. in the fellowship hall.

Hosts are the Stephen Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church and the “Healing After Suicide” support group of Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence.

The event aims to help survivors connect with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss, and express and understand the powerful emotions they experience.

The event is free, but participants are encouraged to make reservations by Wednesday, Nov. 18, and can do so by e-mailing Marcia Esptein, director of Headquarters Couseling Center, at me@hqcc.lawrence.ks.us.