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Thursday evening, the lights were turned on at Sidney High School's Performing Arts Center. There wasn't a concert or performance of any other kind. This was a night when a sensitive subject could be addressed head-on. It isn't an easy topic. It is one many of us are guilty of dismissing as someone else's problem.

It wasn't a forum with a list of one-size-fits-all answers. It was a deliberate discussion of a very sensitive subject: suicide.

Suicide is a malady that doesn't have a single diagnosis, and therefore doesn't have a single-answer cure. What was clear by the end of the night is people need each other. We need people we can depend on, people who will surrender time for a coffee, a phone call, a walk in the park. Networking and keeping close with people each of us can be real with helps make a difference.

We can't emphasize enough the importance of each of us being part of a network of support, of having someone we can call when life gets rough, and of being confident enough to call a counselor or trusted friend when you need someone to talk to.

This is a chance for the community to come together, to be part of the change to reduce the impact of suicides in our community. The effort starts with one taking the chance to reach out to another, and so on.

Help is available. If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:

Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660

Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (oprime dos para Español) or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 para Español

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522

National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)