Training sessions focus on suicide prevention

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition is offering two trainings in suicide prevention.

Question, Persuade, Refer is a suicide prevention tool intended to teach the warning signs, clues and suicidal communications of people in trouble so that those who are in contact with them can act vigorously to prevent a possible tragedy.

QPR Gatekeeper training is intended for the general public, takes one hour and is taught in a clear and concise format. Gatekeepers are given information that is easy to understand and reinforced by the QPR booklet complete with warning signs, methods to encourage a person to get help and a list of resources available in the community.

This course is offered for free for those willing to sign a commitment to provide three Gatekeeper Trainings a year for three years (18 hours).

The course costs $495 per person, but a grant was awarded to the coalition to provide the training to those with a commitment in suicide prevention.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, which is designed for those making an intervention - such as emergency staff, counselors and administrators - will be offered March 27 and 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Flathead City-County Health Department.

This course teaches skills to caregivers so that they may intervene confidently and competently with a person at risk of suicide.

The course is divided into four learning modules: attitudes, knowledge, intervention and resources. Skills and principles are illustrated with case studies, videos, live dramatizations, simulations and practice exercises utilizing a suicide intervention model and workbook.

Upon completion, participants understand and are prepared to:

n Reduce attitudinal barriers that hinder one's ability to be direct and comfortable in suicidal situations.

n Dispel myths about suicide.

n Practice intervention techniques.

n Develop a collaborative resource network.

n Understand the importance of self-care.

The cost for the course is $60 which includes lunch. For those on the County Crisis Team or EMS, the cost will be $30 for the first 30 slots.

For more information about intervention training, contact Roxana Colman-Herak or Marty Herak at (406) 644-0797 or (406) 270-8631.

To register for either suicide prevention training, call Joan Schmidt at 871-1008 or e-mail jschmidt06@centurytel.net.