Every 15 minutes, someone dies by suicide in this country. And for every victim of suicide, at least six people’s lives are intimately affected. But there are things we can do to help.

On this month's United Way Community Connections, aired live on WTIC 1080-AM, we learned how we can decrease the risk of suicide for ourselves and those we care about. We discovered the warning signs that someone needs help and examined ways we can help those who are struggling with suicide and behavioral health issues.

Are you struggling to make ends meet? Recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) mean that you may qualify for help even if you haven't in the past. SNAP works like a debit card, so you have privacy at the grocery store.

Free SNAP application assistance will be available on Tuesday, October 18th from 1PM to 4PM at the Avon Senior Center located at 635 West Avon Road in Avon.

Need help with food, prescriptions, health insurance or health and human services? Connecticut’s “Rx Express” bus is coming to Avon and Canton during the month of May, thanks to Avon United Way and the Avon and Canton town Social Services departments. This volunteer-led project is part of United Way's work to help local people make ends meet.

An article in today's Hartford Courant discusses the need for summer food programs for children in our state and how the Enfield Summer Food Service Program - also known as The Lunch Bunch - is helping. Click here to read the full story.

Children and youth up to age 18 can receive free lunches this summer, thanks to a collaboration among United Way of North Central Connecticut, local nonprofit organizations and government.

Beginning June 28th and running through August 27th, The Lunch Bunch will offer free lunches at Saint Patrick’s Church Hall at 64 Pearl Street in Thompsonville, Monday through Friday from noon to 1:00 p.m. Any child or young person 18 or under may attend, and there is no need to register to participate. In addition to lunch, a fun activity will be offered after the meal.

Manchester resident Rowena Stough, a sexual abuse survivor who now counsels other survivors, received the United Way Community Campaign’s 2010 Courage Award at a festive luncheon held today at Lincoln Culinary Institute. Stough was nominated for the award by Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS), a program of the YWCA of New Britain and selected to receive the award by a panel of community volunteers.