Dry grad committee donates for suicide prevention training
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) this week received a generous $1,000 donation from the Pen-Hi Dry Grad committee which will be channelled into providing suicide prevention training within the local community.
The donation is in the name of former Penticton Secondary School gradudate Isaiah Kozak who died earlier this year.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Penticton Dry Grad committee”, said Leah Schulting, executive director at the Canadian Mental Health Association. “These funds will be used to support suicide prevention workshops in Penticton.”
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadians aged 15 to 34, after motor vehicle accidents, and for every death it is estimated that there are as many as 20 attempts. These statistics are far too high but CMHA believes that suicide awareness and education can play a vital role in saving lives,” said Schulting. “Our suicide prevention workshops educate participants on how to identify someone who may be considering suicide and teaches them how to reach out to those who may be in crisis.”
CMHA is encouraging people within the local community, particularly those in trusted positions such as first responders, community service providers, Elders and spiritual leaders, coaches, teachers and others to sign up for suicide prevention training which could help them save lives. Additionally, bus drivers, hairdressers and others who face the public on a regular basis have benefitted from the training.
CMHA - South Okanagan Similkameen will be holding two suicide awareness/prevention workshops in September. The cost of these workshops has been reduced due to the generosity of the Penticton Secondary Dry Grad committee’s donation.
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Sept. 6-7.: This two-day interactive workshop teaches participants to identify people who have thoughts of suicide, understand how beliefs and attitudes can affect suicide interventions, conduct safety assessments and develop safety plans with vulnerable individuals. Discounted to $175 per person. SafeTALK, Sept. 8, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. This half-day training helps participants recognize indications that someone is thinking about suicide and then connect them with care providers and other supportive resources. Discounted to $10 per person.
To sign up for either workshop and for more information, email: cmha.mhadvocate@shaw.ca or phone on 778 476-5411.