“Sense of Belonging: What I Learned from Studying Suicide”

Twenty-five years ago I stood on a sidewalk in Baltimore and decided to take my life. I set a date and told no-one, until a chance conversation with a friend saved me and set me on a path to a joyful and grateful life. I had to build that life brick by brick, but the path I followed, or one like it, could be taken by anyone. When I speak about suicide, ten out of ten audience members have been deeply affected by suicide, even if it was only sorrow at the death of a well-known public figure. After three years of research on the subject, I’m convinced that the answer to rising suicide rates lies in a global social change. I will give you information about the problem, much of which is not generally known, and I’ll outline what we can do to strengthen love of life for ourselves, our children, our world.

Polly Bart is a Harvard undergrad, Berkeley Ph.D. in city planning, 1979. Listed in Who’s Who in the World since 1986.  Owner and manager of Greenbuilders, Inc., an award-winning eco-friendly residential construction and remodeling firm. Recipient of the United States Green Building Council’s individual leadership award for Maryland, 2017. Dr. Bart’s work has appeared in most major local publications and was featured nationally on the Discovery Channel.