Events and resources
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Affairs health care system offering free gun locks
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is partnering with the Veterans Affairs health care system to distribute free gun locks. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a locked gun can mean the difference between a tragic outcome and a life saved for someone in crisis. Though Veterans are well-versed in firearm safety, all gun owners should understand that during emotional or stressful times, delaying access to a gun could mean the difference between life and death. Gun locks can prevent someone in crisis from tragically taking their own life.
In an effort to reduce these preventable tragedies, MDVA is offering free gun locks.
To request a gun lock, please email SuicidePrevention.MDVA@state.mn.us with your name and address. Your information will not be shared; requests are confidential.
CALM Conversations on lethal means
Conversations on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) is a training program that aims to prevent suicide by teaching people how to safely store lethal means, such as firearms and medications, during a crisis. The program’s goal is to create distance and time between people at risk of suicide and lethal means, which can potentially save lives. CALM Conversations is a one-hour class intended for non-clinicians that provides tools for intervening with people at risk before or during a crisis.
Date and time: Monday, Oct. 7, 2024: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Registration: CALM Conversations: Conversations on Lethal Means
Question, Persuade, Refer
Learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught gatekeeper training program in the United States, and more than one million adults have been trained in classroom settings in 48 states. This one and a half-hour class is for members of the community over the age of 16 who want to learn best practices in suicide prevention. A certificate of attendance is available for this class and will be sent after you fill out the evaluation.
Question, Persuade, Refer for agricultural communities
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota and the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) are partnering to provide suicide prevention classes tailored to farming communities. Our aim is to change the public perception in agricultural communities and better equip the community to identify and help people who may be having thoughts of suicide. We offer a one and a half-hour suicide prevention program called Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) to help individuals learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent a suicide. These workshops are made possible by a grant from UMASH. This class has been approved by the Board of Social Work to provide one and a half continuing education units upon completion. This class meets the continuing education requirement for teachers.
SafeTALK
Learn how to support someone’s desire for safety by recognizing the warning signs of suicide, identifying people who are at risk, and applying the Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe (TALK) steps to connect a person to suicide first aid resources. Listed on the national best practice registry, safeTALK allows time for both practice and discussion. safeTALK is based on research that shows people experiencing thoughts of suicide often send out subtle invitations to help them stay safe. This four-hour class is for members of the community over the age of 16 who want to learn and practice the basic best practices in suicide prevention. This class has been approved by the Board of Social Work to provide four continuing education units upon completion.
Minnesota Suicide Prevention Trainer Network launches training hub
The Minnesota Suicide Prevention Trainer Network launched a new resource for suicide prevention and mental health training. The website - preventsuicidemn.org - is a hub for suicide prevention and mental health training and resources in Minnesota with a statewide calendar of public trainings and classes, resources like Minnesota Crisis Resource sheets, local organizations, and online tools and webinars. The website and resources are for the general public, professionals, and communities - because together, we can prevent suicide!
Informational Webinar: Suicide prevention training options for educators
Minnesota Statute (MN State Statute 122A.187 Expiration and Renewal Subd.6. Mental Illness) requires all licensed teachers renewing a teaching license under sections 122A.181 to 122A.184 to complete at least one hour of evidence-based suicide prevention best practices training in each licensure renewal period.
Join the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education for an informational webinar to review available resources for schools, districts, and educators to meet this licensure requirement. Presenters will help participants understand the need and learn about a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. The session will include a review of the statute requirements and three different training options. This webinar is appropriate for educators wanting to plan to meet the suicide prevention training requirement and/or school and district administration planning professional development for staff.
The sessions will be held the 3rd Monday of every other month from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. starting on October 21, 2024.
Date and time: Oct. 21, 2024, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Zoom meeting link: Suicide prevention training options for educators
Insights to Action: Increasing capacity to use suicide prevention data in Minnesota
The data: Mental health care is underutilized.
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 49% of adults with a mental illness do not receive care for their mental health. The most commonly cited reason for not receiving care was thinking you should be able to handle your mental health on your own. However, you don’t need to navigate mental health struggles alone. Help is available and healing is possible.
The data: Mental health care is underutilized.
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 49% of adults with a mental illness do not receive care for their mental health. The most commonly cited reason for not receiving care was thinking you should be able to handle your mental health on your own. However, you don’t need to navigate mental health struggles alone. Help is available and healing is possible.
The resource: Normalize conversations about mental health.
Help ensure your loved ones know they are not alone. Review the Minnesota Suicide Prevention Taskforce’s Normalizing Conversations about Mental Health and Suicide Toolkit for recommendations on how to talk about mental health.
The action: Start the conversation!
Start conversations with your loved ones about their mental health. This small act can be the support someone needs to seek help and receive care.
If this brought up painful feelings for you, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org).
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