JOHNSTON, IOWA (August 30, 2022) — To help destigmatize suicide and advance the conversation around mental health, Iowa PBS presents Facing Suicide in Iowa. This thirty-minute documentary premieres on statewide Iowa PBS on Monday, September 12, 8PM, and will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, September 13, 6:30PM. This program will also be available to stream on all of Iowa PBS's streaming platforms, including iowapbs.org, YouTube, and the PBS Video App.
This program is a hopeful, forward-facing initiative designed to educate and inform adults on the warning signs of teen suicide. It also focuses on methods that can be used to create safe spaces that encourage youth to become more open about mental health issues.
"The Facing Suicide initiative has honed in on a key element of suicide prevention — stigma reduction. Socializing the concept that we all play a role in suicide prevention is significant, especially as it relates to the young people in our lives," said Director of the Department of Health and Human Services Kelly Garcia. "We have a strong statewide strategy, which is now supported by the three-digit 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline as well as our targeted messaging campaigns. We want all Iowans to know, if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or suicidal crisis, help is a phone call, text or online chat away through Your Life Iowa and 988."
In addition to the on-air broadcast, Iowa PBS will host an in-person and virtual event on Monday, September 6, 6PM. You can find more details and register for the event at iowapbs.org/events.
Facing Suicide in Iowa was produced in coordination with Twin Cities PBS to expand the impact of their upcoming film, Facing Suicide. This film explores the powerful stories of those impacted by suicide — one of America's most urgent health crises — and journeys to the front lines of research with scientists whose work is leading to better prevention and treatment.
Facing Suicide in Iowa is made possible by a grant from Twin Cities PBS.
In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS Video App, and YouTube TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook, and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, and many streaming devices.
Learn more at iowapbs.org.
As Iowa's only statewide television network, Iowa PBS's mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans guides its quality, non-commercial programming that tells Iowa's stories like no one else can. Four statewide, public channels offer programs of lasting value to Iowans, regardless of where they live or what they can afford: Iowa PBS .1, Iowa PBS KIDS .2, Iowa PBS WORLD .3 and Iowa PBS Create .4 on Channel 11, Des Moines; Channel 12, Iowa City; Channel 21, Fort Dodge; Channel 24, Mason City; Channel 27, Sioux City; Channel 32, Waterloo; Channel 32, Council Bluffs; Channel 36, Davenport; and Channel 36, Red Oak. More information can be found at iowapbs.org.
