The Canadian Mental Health Association received a $2,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Penticton Sunrise for suicide intervention training for community members.
“Each year, over 500 British Columbians die by suicide. Although suicide is a leading cause of death for youth aged 15-24 years old, the impact of suicide can be greater among older people. No matter the age of the person or the circumstances surrounding their death, each life lost to suicide leaves a lasting mark on that person’s family, friends and community,” said Leah Schulting, executive director of the CMHA South Okanagan Similkameen, in a press release.
As part of the Gatekeeper program, CMHA offers two different research-informed workshops. By attending the workshops, individuals would be able to carry out life-saving interventions for people at risk of suicide.
safeTalk is a half day suicide alertness training that prepares anyone, regardless of prior experience, to become a suicide-alert helper. safeTALK helps people recognize when someone has thoughts of suicide and connect them to caregivers who can support them.
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ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is an award winning two-day interactive workshop that helps caregivers to provide suicide life-assisting first-aid intervention using the Pathway for Assisting Life model. The ASIST model teaches effective intervention skills while helping build suicide prevention networks in the community.
“These trainings have shown to be effective in increasing knowledge, skill and willingness to intervene, as well as help reduce the risk of suicide,” said Schulting.
To register for upcoming suicide prevention workshops please call Liesel at 236-422-1994 or email: cmha.mhadvocate@shaw.ca.
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