The Canadian Mental Health Association of Muskoka-Parry Sound is training locals in suicide prevention.
SafeTALK is a half day alertness training which prepares individuals 15 and up, regardless of experience, to be a suicide alert helper. According to Mike Hoy, a crisis team lead with CMHA, often people with thoughts of suicide truly do not want to die but struggle with unbearable pain.
“Through their words and actions, they might invite help to stay alive. A safeTALK trained helper can recognise these invitations and take action by connecting the affected person with life-saving intervention resources,” Hoy said.
“Caregivers that SafeTALK helpers can refer to are trained individuals in ASIST – Applied suicide intervention skills training.”
SafeTALK is a beginners program that helps train individuals to notice and respond to situations where suicidal thoughts might be present. Hoy said that students are also taught how to move beyond common tendencies such as miss, dismiss or avoid discussing suicide because of stigma or personal experience.
Should you miss this event, Jackie Vincent, resource development coordinator of CMHA, said that there will be additional events coming up in February and April. Vincent encourages members of the public who may have questions about the topics discussed to reach out to her directly at (705) 645-2262, extension 1289 or email her at [email protected].
The event is held this Thursday at Canadore College from 6:00pm – 9:00pm and there are ten spots out of 30 remaining.