Registration Open for Free Suicide Prevention Training
Registration Open for Free
Suicide Prevention Training
Area residents have the opportunity to attend a free suicide prevention training on Wednesday, October 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Milbank Visitor Center. The daylong session is entitled Mental Health First Aid and was organized by individuals in the community.
Trainers from the Watertown Human Service Agency will present Mental Health First Aid, an eight-hour evidence-based course that gives individuals the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, such as contemplating suicide.
The goal of training is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives.
Mental Health First Aid is intended for people and organizations that make up the fabric of a community. Professionals who regularly interact with people such as police officers, nurses, human resource directors, primary care workers, school leadership, faith communities and friends and family of individuals with mental illness or addiction are encouraged to attend.
Participants will be introduced to risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance use problems, will engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families and will learn about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
Mental Health First Aid participants learn a strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, identifying appropriate professional help and other supports.
Application can be made for eight hours of continuing education through Counselors Examiners Board, the Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and Board of Social Workers. Eight hours of teacher renewal credit will be available and this training will fulfill the South Dakota Department of Education one-hour of suicide prevention requirement.
Registration and questions can be sent to Stephanie Kinnander at stephaniek@humanserviceagency.org.
