The second annual “Words Save Lives” event will take place Thursday evening, in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day.

From 7 to 11 p.m., poets, storytellers, comedians and musicians will perform at the Lawrence Creates Makerspace, 512 E. Ninth St. An open mic period is scheduled from 11 p.m. to midnight.

The event is hosted by stand-up comedian Chance Dibben, the Lawrence Art Guild, Lawrence Creates Makerspace and Marcia Epstein, a licensed master social worker who specializes in suicide prevention and bereavement support.

“This event reminds us that art is a means to increase safety and wellbeing by bringing people together to experience that we are not totally alone in our experiences, thoughts, feelings,” Epstein wrote on the event’s Facebook page.

Musical performances planned for the evening include Darrell Lea, Tides For Aviation, Clay Burkhead and Vigil And Thieves, a Kansas City, Mo.-based band.

Comedians scheduled to perform, in addition to Dibben, include Ed Parker, Amber Lehman and Chop Reynolds.

Free State Brewing Co. will be selling refreshments on site.

According to a World Health Organization report, someone in the world dies by suicide every 40 seconds. More than 800,000 people die by suicide across the world each year.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention first designated Sept. 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day in 2003.

The event hopes to “build connection, through compassionate communication and fun,” according to its Facebook page, which can be found by searching “Words Save Lives V.9.10.2015.” It also has a full listing of performers.

Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) at any time, or visit its website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

The local Headquarters Counseling Center can be reached directly at 785-841-2345 or through its website, headquarterscounselingcenter.org.