NATCHEZ — The local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is sponsoring a free Suicide Awareness Forum.

The forum titled “Shatter the Silence —Suicide: The Secret You Shouldn’t Keep” will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Natchez Community Center at 215 Franklin Street.

The forum will include a presentation by Ja’Quila Newsome from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Newsome will address mental health, stigam realted to mental illness, the warnign signs for suicide, what to do and not to do when someone has thoughts of suicide and where to go for help or information.

A question and answer period will follow with a panel of experienced professionals.

The event is free to the public.