The Rocky Mountain House community is hurting following the tragic news of two middle school students who died by suicide this fall.

Following an open house for students last week at Pioneer Middle School, the Rocky Primary Care Network (PCN) , Recovery Alberta and other community partners are presenting a discussion surrounding youth mental health in the community.

“The youth in our community are struggling,” says Candice Larson, behavioral health therapist at the PCN,  who says she and her colleagues have seen an increasingly heavy case load from youth seeking mental health supports.

The evening will be facilitated by Larson, along with Leah Casey, therapist with Recovery Alberta, along with free community supports including the Family Resource Network, Compassionate Care Society, as well as family wellness teams from local schools.

Conversations will revolve around the current mental health crisis, technology, parental support, safety planning, and services available to kids and parents alike.

Serena Hunt, youth mental health intake nurse with the PCN says people are heartbroken, and have questions.

“Everyone’s scared,” she says. “They’re scared that our youth are hurting– and if we didn’t see it, then how many more are suffering or unseen.”

She adds, the news this fall came as a surprise to many, and parents and concerned adults are unsure of how to help; but people don’t need to suffer alone.

“It’s really important to come together, to show that there is a community of support for anyone who’s tragically affected by this,” says Hunt.

The night is open to adults only– be that parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers and concerned community members.

The discussion goes from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Lou Soppit Community Centre on Wednesday Oct. 15.