Don will outline the clear social stigma of mental health and suicide in our communities, including how media, faith institutions, family of origin issues, and certain traditional models parenting of youth contribute to this problem.  He will examine how this stigma directly affects the healing for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, especially when it comes to grief and challenging the traditional models of grief.  Don will focus on the different social pressures and expectations of certain demographics, including veterans and LGBTQ+ individuals, increasing the risk of suicide to these populations.  Don will examine how community models of suicide prevention can break down this social stigma, with the intention of promoting mental health and lowering the incidence of suicide.  Finally, he will address what we as social workers can do both in our individual practice and in advocating for change in our agencies and communities, to bring about this need for a change in how mental health and suicide are viewed.