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By Chantal Wagner

government funding

CMHA offers upcoming suicide prevention workshops for region

Dec 11, 2020 | 3:32 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Free workshops are coming up for anyone wanting to learn about the warning signs of suicide among adults, youth, and children.

The programs are being coordinated by the Canadian Mental Health Association, with the goal to educate the community and build capacity.

The local CMHA received $220,000 from the Alberta government in October to increase suicide prevention supports.

The funds are going towards a variety of free training programs.

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Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator Breanne Mellen says the programs are easy to understand and they’re for anyone.

“The more people who take these training courses, the more who will be equipped to respond to those who are thinking about suicide within whatever training capacity they have,” she added.

Two suicide prevention educators have been hired to work within the courses and spread awareness and education throughout the Medicine Hat region.

“One of the really cool things that we’re able to do is offer a program called Living Works Start. So this program is a 90-minute online course that trains individuals in how to recognize and respond to thoughts of suicide in family members, friends, or those close to them,” Mellen said. We have a number of registrations for Living Works Start that we’re giving away for free because we have money to be able to do that.”

The CMHA hopes to offer more in-person programs once restrictions are lifted after Christmas. If not, some can be offered over Zoom as well.

Courses that are being offered include Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), a two-day training course for individuals. “That will take them through how to run an entire intervention with somebody who is thinking of suicide,” Mellen said.

On top of that, they will also be offering a course called Safe Talk which is a suicide awareness half-day training. And Straight Talk, a half-day training for adults who want to learn about suicide in youth aged 12-24.

As well as Tattered Teddies which talks about the signs and symptoms of suicide in children under the age of 12, how to recognize and respond

The Recovery College: Art of Friendship also begins its next session in February. That helps people who have addictions to keep them on their path to recovery for wellness.

“I know that we tend to look at training courses and think only professionals need those. But ASIST and all of the other courses that we offer are designed for anybody to take. So you don’t have to be a social worker, doctor, or nurse, you can be anybody from any walk of life.”

For the full course list and dates visit the CMHA Southeast region Facebook page.