SEWI Festival of Books Hosts Dual Events Highlighting Importance of Suicide Prevention

WAUKESHA, Wis. - April 20, 2023 - PRLog -- Award-winning author Kathie Giorgio teams up with Philip Chard, psychotherapist and freelance columnist, for the launch of her sixth novel, Hope Always Rises. On Thursday, April 27, 2023, Giorgio and Chard will discuss the novel, which foregrounds suicide, and have an honest discussion about depression and the social treatment of those who reach the point of considering suicide. The event will be held at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee at Waukesha campus.

In Hope Always Rises, the title character Hope has dealt with deep sadness throughout her entire life. When visits to therapists, doctors, and other practitioners fail, she chooses to end her life and finds that in Heaven, there is a special gated community for those who end their lives by suicide.

Prior to the book launch event, the American Foundation for Prevention of Suicide–Wisconsin will be presenting Talk Saves Lives, a community education program in which participants learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and what individuals can do to help save lives in their community. Resource materials will be made available.

The programs begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Commons Hub at the University of Milwaukee at Waukesha campus located at 1500 N. University Drive in Waukesha. Both programs are free and open to the public. Independent bookseller and Festival of Books community partner Books and Company will be on hand to facilitate book sales. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the suicide prevention programs of AFSP–Wisconsin.

Both programs will be available through Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To get details visit https://www.kathiegiorgio.org/appearances/

Kathie Giorgio is the author of six novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and three poetry chapbooks. She has been nominated for numerous awards including the Pushcart Prize in both fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association.

Philip Chard is a psychotherapist, freelance newspaper columnist and author. His column "Out of My Mind" is published weekly in Milwaukee's The Shepherd Express. His book titles include Nature's Way: Experiencing the Sacred in the Natural World and The Healing Earth.

For more information on Kathie Giorgio, visit https://www.kathiegiorgio.org/. Copies of Hope Always Rises are available at major booksellers, including amazon.com and bookshop.org. For additional information on Philip Chard, visit https://www.philipchard.com/

Note: Appearance of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Wisconsin does not constitute a book endorsement.