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Community Health Network sponsors the Indiana Fever "Choices for Champions" event for students at Indiana Farmers Coliseum

For release on May 27, 2015

Program promotes healthy life choices, anti-bullying techniques, importance of self-esteem

Indianapolis—According to research from the Indiana Youth Institute, Indiana has the highest rate of students who have contemplated suicide (19%) and the country’s second-highest rate of students who have attempted suicide (11%). To combat these alarming numbers, Community Health Network is sponsoring the Indiana Fever’s annual "Choices for Champions" program aimed at curbing bullying and encouraging healthy life choices. The event takes place on May 29 at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.  More than 3,000 students in grades 3 through 8 will attend the event that begins at 9:45 a.m., prior to the Fever pre-season game vs. the Washington Mystics at noon.

“One of the ways we can fight teen suicide is to talk about it early and provide children with the tools they need to live healthy lives,” said Suzanne Clifford, executive vice-president of behavioral health at Community Health Network.  “Children need positive role models like members of the Indiana Fever, who share their insight and experience to help students make good choices in their own lives. This year, Community Health Network is sponsoring this event and integrating our Behavioral Health services, specifically the Zero Suicides Initiative.”

A program begins at 9:45 a.m. with the following speakers:

  • Kim Walton, MSN, APRN, Chief Clinical Officer for Behavioral Health Services at Community Health Network
    Walton will speak about Community’s Zero Suicides Initiative and the text-for-help technology made possible from a grant offered by The Glick Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation. Community Health Network will also have adolescent counselors on site during the event to talk with students and teachers.
  • Camishe Nunley, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma Specialist, owner Healing Your Hidden Hurts (HYHH)
    The HYHH program, Building Resiliency in Children (B.R.I.C.) is based on empowering children, adolescents and young adults. Nunley will speak about the B.R.I.C. program which teaches schools how to implement procedures and programming to help create a safe and positive atmosphere that doesn’t tolerate bullying.
  • UFC Legend Chris “Lights Out” Lytle Rise Up Against Bullying
    Lytle is a fourteen-year member of IFD and a retired American Mixed Martial artist, boxer and veteran UFC Champion. Lytle will talk about the importance of strength, discipline and resilience in battling bullies. He has released his book, “Lights Out on Bullying” to help others.
  • Indiana Fever players, including: Tamika Catchings, Layshia Clarendon, and Jeanette Pohlen, as well as the Indiana Pacers’ Shayne Whittington, will take questions from the children and talk about healthy eating, exercise and education.

During a lunch break that begins at 11:00 a.m., counselors from Community Behavioral Health will be on hand to talk to the students.

About Community Health Network
Ranked among the nation’s most integrated healthcare systems, Community Health Network is Central Indiana’s leader in providing convenient access to exceptional healthcare services, where and when patients need them—in hospitals, health pavilions and doctor’s offices, as well as workplaces, schools and homes. As a non-profit health system with over 200 sites of care and affiliates throughout Central Indiana, Community’s full continuum of care integrates hundreds of physicians, specialty and acute care hospitals, surgery centers, home care services, MedChecks, behavioral health and employer health services. To learn more, visit eCommunity.com or call 800-777-7775.

About the Indiana Fever
A WNBC playoff participant in 10 straight seasons and 11 times since 2002, the Indiana Fever have reached at least the conference finals seven times in the past 10 years – including WNBA Finals appearances in 2009 and 2012. Just three seasons ago, Indiana capped the 2012 campaign as the champions of women’s basketball, beating the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals. The Fever host their 2015 home opener on Saturday, June 6 against Minnesota (7:00 p.m.) while hosting a Guinness World Records® Attempt presented by Papa John’s. For 2015 season ticket information, visit FeverBasketball.com or call (317) 917-2528.

Lynda de Widt, Media Relations
Lynda de Widt
Media Relations