CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - Local mental health leaders are spreading awareness and educating the community as they say suicide rates are rising among young people.

September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and to close it out, Empowering Families SC hosted an open forum for people to come learn and have a conversation about this difficult topic.

"With how prevalent mental health issues are going on, we're starting to see a big rise in suicide events that are occurring in children in middle school and high school," event organizer Ashlin Blum said. "The more we can get people to understand the signs and symptoms, the more we can help them advocate and get help and resources from other adults and community partners we have in Charleston."

Leaders say about one in every five teenagers

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