September marks National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and to kick-off the events, Regis University will host nationally-recognized speaker and mental health advocate, Keisha Zollar, in Main Hall 333 on the Regis University campus on September 8 at 7 p.m. Zollar's presentation, Be Heard: Mental Health Matters, takes the audience on a mental health journey and ultimately ends with her present day life filled with survival, wellness, encouragement and hope.

Zollar's childhood did not always look so hopeful. When she was a child, she was sexually abused and out of fear and shame she kept her sexual abuse a secret from the people she loved. The circumstances around the abuse took her into a depression and, later, a suicide attempt. After that experience, Zollar was hospitalized for depression. During her hospital stay, she began to talk about her experiences with sexual abuse and received treatment for depression. When she was released from the hospital, Zollar realized that talking and getting help with her problems did not make her weak, it made her strong.

Zollar decided to speak out about her experiences because she wanted no one to experience the pain she felt as a result of sexual abuse and depression. "When I was depressed I stopped laughing, something I loved to do. I love laughing and making others laugh- I am a comedienne. I don't want anyone to stop doing the things they love because of the embarrassment associated with sexual abuse and mental disorders," she said.

Other events planned for Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month that are open to the community, include:

Wednesday 9/10

Rails & Ties Movie Night

7 p.m. Ranger Grille, Regis University Campus

Friday 9/19

Lunch and Learn with Coach Merrill

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Main Hall 333, Regis University Campus

There is no charge for any of the events and questions should be directed to Liza Gallegos at egallego@regis.edu.

Additionally, www.PeoplePreventSuicide.org is a comprehensive mental health resource.