Organization offers ASIST death prevention

Lorain County Board of Mental Health offers free sessions of ASIST, or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.

A session is in North Ridgeville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 20 and 21 at Lorain County Community College Ridge Campus, 32121 Lorain Road, room 212.

A second session is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16 and 17 at Gathering Hope House, 1173 North Ridge Road East, suite 102 in Lorain.

An 8 a.m. check-in is required to attend both days, according to a news release from the Board of Mental Health. Registration is open at bit.ly/asistnr for North Ridgeville, and at lcbmh. eventbrite.com for Lorain.

The Board of Mental Health offers ongoing, free suicide prevention training for people who live or work in Lorain County.

Summer sessions are being held in response to recent celebrity deaths.

“When a celebrity dies by suicide, people who are already contemplating suicide, or are vulnerable to major depression, can be at a higher risk for ending their lives,” said Dr. Kathleen Kern, executive director of the Board. “In recent days, the world learned of at least two celebrity deaths, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. We urge residents to learn how to recognize and help when someone might be struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.”

Though the training program is an intensive, 16hour certification course, it requires no prior knowledge of mental health topics.

Anyone aged 16 or older can be certified.

The Board of Mental Health also offers other suicide prevention learning opportunities including community groups, workplaces and faith communities.

A request can be sent to outreach@lcbmh.org. for a 90-minute “basics” presentation in suicide prevention, the release said.

The Board of Mental Health published a list of guidelines on how to support someone likely struggling with suicidal thoughts.

The list is available at lcbmh.org/celeb.

Lorain County 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline number is 800-888-6161.