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ESCANABA -- The Delta County Suicide Prevention task force held a prevention summit at Bay College Thursday night called "Everything you ever wanted to know about suicide and depression, but are afraid to ask."

There is more than one individual in every suicide:  the victim and those who survived.  Those affected by suicide came together to hear a presentation about prevention and awareness.  According to the organization, the best suicide prevention is discussion.

"We can talk about it without being concerned that we're planting the seed," said task force member, Dan Doyle.  "The seed's the idea, and it's already planted, and we can be out loud about it now."

Doyle is a mental health expert who presented at the summit about depression and suicide.  He says to watch for warning signs such as a change in personality, change of eating habits, insomnia, low self esteem, and sudden withdrawal.

According to the American Association of Suicidology, about 30 to 40 thousand people take their lives annually, but the task force is not concerned with big numbers; they're more concerned with the individual.

"The important number is one," Doyle said.  "When we have somebody that we lose to suicide, all the others are just statistics, and who we need to concentrate is on the people that are impacted by the death of a loved one through suicide."

Like Cindy Bintner, who lost two sons to suicide.

"Life is so precious," said Bintner.  "It's such a devastating thing to be left behind by a loved one, and I just want people to realize no matter what pain they're going through, there's help and talking about it can ease a person."

If you or someone you know is suicidal, call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.