News briefs 11/14

Autism Lecture

Grand Valley State University, Spectrum Health and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will sponsor a lecture geared toward providing information and resources about autism. The lecture titled, “Individuals with Autism in Our Community” will take place Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. Community organizations providing autism support and resources will be available before the event from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Speakers will include: Anthony Richtsmeier, head of behavioral pediatrics at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Amy Matthews, director of the Autism Education Center. The speakers will discuss factors leading to the increase in diagnoses and present information about resources for those affected and their families. The lecture will be moderated by Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for health at GVSU. The event is part of the “Your Health” lecture series and is open to the public. To RSVP, call (616) 331-5883.

Suicide Prevention

The Grand Valley State University Counseling Center will hold a suicide presentation event Monday, Nov. 14. The event is titled “QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer” and will take place in Kirkhof Center Room 2266 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The QPR program aims to dismiss common misconceptions about suicide, helps students recognize the warning signs of suicide, and empower students to save lives using the nationally-recognized QPR method of suicide prevention. The event will also allow students to examine the issue of suicide from both a social and multicultural perspective while considering their own role in preventing suicide. The event is LIB 100 approved.

Drumming workshop

Grand Valley State University’s area and global studies has teamed up with GVSU’s Latin American and Latino/a studies department to sponsor a drumming workshop Monday, Nov. 14 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held in the Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center Multipurpose Room. The workshop is part of the week-long celebrations for the new area and global studies major. Josh Dunigan will be the one teaching those in attendance. Dunigan has been performing and teaching music for over 15 years. The event is LIB 100 approved.