Dennis Gillan, a speaker and advocate for suicide prevention, will deliver a talk in Mountain Home on Tuesday, September 12. The free event, titled “It’s a Tough Subject: A Conversation About Suicide,” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the ASU-Mountain Home campus. The event is hosted by Baxter Health and does not require registration.

Gillan’s message is shaped by personal loss. He tragically lost both his brothers to suicide, eleven years apart. In the years following the first loss, he struggled with alcohol abuse. After the second loss, he sought therapy and focused on his recovery, eventually becoming sober. Gillan began volunteering for a crisis hotline in Chicago but initially kept his family experiences private. That changed in 2010 during a fundraising event, where he shared his story publicly for the first time. Since then, he has dedicated his life to suicide prevention efforts, founding the Half a Sorrow Foundation to continue his work.

Through the foundation, Gillan aims to foster open dialogue about mental health and provide support for those affected by suicide. The foundation’s name is inspired by the saying, “A shared joy is a double joy, and a shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”

Gillan underscores that he is not a licensed counselor, and as noted on his website, his insights are observational rather than clinical. However, he has acquired certifications in programs such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), safeTALK, Talk Saves Lives, and SoulShop. These programs equip individuals with tools to recognize warning signs of suicide and engage in direct, supportive conversations.

Audience reviews of Gillan’s presentations frequently highlight his ability to balance deeply emotional topics with moments of humor. His speaking portfolio also includes a TEDx talk on loneliness. Beyond public speaking, Gillan co-hosts a mental health podcast called “It’s a Tough Subject” with Jessica Seel and has authored a children’s book, “Nice Shoes!” that promotes the positive impact of small acts of kindness. He is also the founder of the Camo Hat Club, a men’s group aimed at encouraging open communication among men.

The Mountain Home talk coincides with the second annual Run for Tomorrow 5K earlier that same day at ASU-Mountain Home. Proceeds from last year’s event were used to arrange Gillan’s visit.

For more information about the event, contact Jamie Leach at Baxter Health at (870) 508-6465 or via email at jleach@baxterregional.org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time for free, confidential support. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.