PORTSMOUTH — Every Student Initiative has been asked to help coordinate a “Let’s Talk About Mental Health” public forum from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Portsmouth Middle School library, 125 Jepson Lane.

The governor initiated the campaign to spread awareness about mental health related issues throughout the state.

The Every Student Initiative, formed by friends of the late Portsmouth High School student Nathan Bruno, advocates for more mental-health support and resources in schools. Bruno, a sophomore, died by suicide in February. 

The group will kick off the meeting with some comments and then the floor will open up for community members to engage in a discussion with a panel made up of Rebecca Boss, director of the R.I. Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; Trista Picco, director of the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families; Kasim Yarn, director of R.I. Veterans Affairs; and Rose Jones, policy and public affairs director of the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS).

HHS is asking those who plan on attending the forum to RSVP through this link. People who do not register, however, may still attend.

Members of the Every Student Initiative will also be speaking at the final Rally 4 Recovery of the year at the Warwick Mall on Friday, Oct. 5. They will be giving a five-minute speech sometime between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

At the invitation off Newport Mental Health, the group will be taking part in the “I Am Whole” campaign at the YMCA in Middletown at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10. 

On Saturday, Oct. 20, the student group will have a table set up and greet members of the public during the YMCA Fall Festival between 10 a.m. and noon.