Brandon Callor is quite familiar with social stigmas that often come with talking openly about suicide. Not only is Callor trying to increase awareness of the cause of suicide and promote healing to those affected by it, but he also aims at going one step further. Through his Links of Courage grief support organization, Callor is on a mission to make an impact big enough to eliminate it completely.

As he notes at his linksofcourage.com website, “Links of Courage is breaking the silence when it comes to talking about suicide. It is time to talk about it, heal from it and end it.”

Suicide prevention and grief support are among the topics to be addressed at the next Canyoneering Academy lecture series. The ongoing District-sponsored event is free and open to the public and will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12, 6-8:30 p.m. in the Canyons Center at the District Office, 9361 S. 300 East in Sandy.

Callor, who’s spent his career as a medical examiner assistant and researcher, studying the causes and effects of suicides, will be the keynote speaker for this Parent Night. Though trained to cope with death and dying professionally, Callor was faced with learning to cope in a new light when he lost a loved one to suicide. He shares his personal experience in the book “Life After Suicide” with the aim of bringing hope and healing to others.

After Callor’s presentation, attendees will have their choice of participating in two of four breakout sessions on the following topics:

— The Dangers of Vaping (Detective Jason Hoopes, Sandy City PD and Jordan High School Resource Officer; Detective Shay Ballard, Sandy City PD, Diamond Ridge Resource Officer)

— Suicide Prevention (“Question, Persuade, Refer” Training, CSD’s Student Services Team)

— The Dangers of Sextortion (Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force)

— Digital Citizenship: Top Apps to be Aware of on your Child’s Phone (CSD’s Digital Citizenship Team)