Program Directory

NW Ohio Journal - One School's "Dramatic" Response to Tragedy

The Journal

The recent tragic events in Virginia are a reminder that while some subjects are difficult to talk about, silence rarely provides solutions to serious problems. The real challenge, however, lies in figuring out how to start a discussion about subjects that are considered very private.

This week, WBGU-PBS' NW Ohio Journal will focus on one northwest Ohio's school's approach to "jump start" a discussion of a serious local and national problem: teen depression and teen suicides. A staged drama about the effects of suicide, coupled with directed discussions about coping with the loss has brought attention to the problem and provides a forum to help those affected. The program airs at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 26.

Host Ken Hawley will be joined in the studio by JoBeth Gonzalez, Ph.D., Drama Director and Teacher at Bowling Green High School; Bill Donnelly, Ph.D., Clinical Director of Children's Resource Center in Bowling Green, Brianna Willinger, high school student and Susan Peet, parent.

Ken Hawley was a school superintendent of the Napoleon schools and the Elmwood Local Schools before his retirement. He is an adjunct faculty member at Bowling Green State University and serves as Director for Operation Respect for the State of Ohio.

April 27, 2007