Suicide awareness and prevention on display at exhibits in September

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwest Washington is hosting art exhibits in Clark, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties with the theme of hope this month, which is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.

“The artwork represents the hope we all need in life,” a local NAMI press release reads.

The exhibit features artists of all ages and experiences, and runs Sept. 5 to 30. The shows take place at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver (Columbia Room from Sept. 11 to 30); Three Creeks Library, 800 N.E. Tenney Road, Vancouver (reception 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25); Cathlamet Public Library, 100 Main St., Cathlamet; Skamania Chamber of Commerce,167 N.W. Second Ave., Stevenson.

All artwork is donated and will be sold at the Lift Up Life Art Silent Auction, a First Friday event from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Cellar 55, 1812 Washington St., Vancouver.

For the second straight year, NAMI will also have Life Rock to build suicide awareness. Volunteers have painted 1,000 rocks and, beginning Sept. 1, you can spot the rocks, which will be placed throughout Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. The rocks are artistic and carry messages of hope, love and acceptance.

If you find a rock, you can visit namiswwa.org to tell your rock story so NAMI can share it. You can keep the rock, move it or gift it.