Youth suicide prevention videoconference series set in April

Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health will host a free Youth Suicide Prevention videoconference series in April focusing on the coroner’s role in working with families of people who commit suicide, coping with the aftermath of suicide, engaging communities and safe messaging in suicide prevention.

The four-week series will be video-cast throughout Idaho starting at 11 a.m. MDT or 10 a.m. PDT. Sites for the videoconferences are located in northern, southern and eastern Idaho. The series is funded with a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

There are still slots open in Lewiston, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls.The sessions are:

•    April 1, “Suicide: The Coroner’s Role.” Coroners work with families, schools and others in the aftermath of a suicide. This session will provide information on what coroners do and how they can support families and others during this time of crisis. Information will be presented by Erwin Sonnenberg, Ada County coroner.

•    April 8, “Establishing Protocols for Postvention.” Agencies, schools and other organizations look for standardized ways to assist families and friends after a suicide occurs. This session will feature sample protocols and procedures from the Wisconsin Mental Health Association and how they may be customized for other communities. Presenters are Shel Gross, MPA, director of Public Policy, Mental Health Association of Wisconsin and Brenda M. Jennings, MSE, consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

•    April 15, “Engaging Your Community in Prevention.” Grassroots community organizations in Idaho are reaching out to promote suicide prevention. Join us for this session featuring leaders from the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho, Eastern Idaho Chapter and learn ways to promote prevention in Idaho communities. Presenters are Jeni Griffin and Roma Hawkins, Eastern Idaho SPAN Chapter.

•    April 22, “Safe Messages for Suicide Prevention.” Many communities are attracted to the media as a way to get the word out about suicide prevention. But what messages are safe and effective?  This session will focus on safe messaging for suicide prevention and how it can be applied to Idaho communities. Information will be presented by Ken Norton, Frameworks Suicide Prevention Program Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness, New Hampshire.

Locations for the sessions still open are:

•    Pocatello: ISU campus, Vocational Arts Building, Room VA117;

•    Idaho Falls: ISU-Idaho Falls, 1784 Science Center Dr., Room CHE 208;

•    Twin Falls: ISU-Twin Falls Center, 315 Twin Falls Ave, Evergreen Building, Room C-89; and

•    Lewiston: Lewis and Clark State College, corner of Fourth and Ninth avenues, Sam Glenn Complex 210, Room 50.

      The session is free, but seating is limited. Seats in Boise and Coeur d’Alene are full and not available at this time. Certificates of completion will be offered to professionals who wish to obtain continuing education credits.

To preregister, email Marsha Tracy at tracmars@isu.edu or call 373-1799

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The above organizations or groups are not affiliated with Idaho State University or the Idaho Youth Suicide Prevention Project.

This document was developed under grant #5 U79 SM57401-01-1 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, (DHHS). The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of DHHS or the State of Idaho.