NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 20, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Brownell, Public Health Educator
218-471-7689 or brownella@stlouiscountymn.gov
St. Louis County Public Health offers free training on suicide alertness
If someone was having thoughts of suicide, would you be able to recognize it? And if so, would you know what to do? Most people thinking about suicide don’t actually want to die, but they need help deciding to stay alive.
St. Louis County Public Health is offering free half-day safeTALK trainings designed to teach people how to reach out to someone thinking about suicide and help them keep safe by promptly connecting them with supportive resources that can help them in choosing to live. The title safeTALK is a combination of acronyms: "suicide alertness for everyone" followed by the steps a person should take to help someone who is having thoughts of suicide - Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep safe. safeTALK was created by LivingWorks, a global company that trains more than 120,000 people a year in suicide prevention and intervention.
The safeTALK trainings will be:
Thursday, September 28
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
St. Louis County Government Services Center - Duluth
320 West 2nd Street, Duluth
Friday, September 29
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
St. Louis County Government Services Center - Virginia
201 South 3rd Avenue West, Virginia
The training is suitable for anyone age 15 and older and provides in-depth knowledge on recognizing the signs of suicide and knowing how to get someone to the help they need. No prior training is needed. The steps learned in safeTALK have helped participants from all walks of life be alert to situations where suicide thoughts may be present. safeTalk participants will gain increased knowledge about suicide, confidence to talk about suicide and related issues, and ability to intervene with someone at risk.
Advance registration is required as space is limited. To sign up or learn more about the trainings, contact Casey Mickelson at mickelsonc@stlouiscountymn.gov or (218) 726-2025.
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