September is National Suicide Prevention Month and for the third year, Avera Health launched its ‘Ask The Question’ campaign. This campaign is built around the research-based premise that being direct can save lives. Asking someone who’s struggling a direct question, “Are you thinking about suicide?” in a caring way can open a meaningful conversation that leads to the person at risk to get help. It’s not always an easy conversation to have. But on the bright side: Suicide rates have fallen in South Dakota for two years in a row. To tell us more about what programs Avera offers for the community and events involving starting a conversation, Thomas Otten the Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health joins the program. More information can be found at avera.org/askthequestion.