Training date set for Suicide Prevention First Aid class

Crisis. We’ve all known it in some way or another. Sometimes we are facing the crisis and other times we are watching others. Regardless, there is one thing we are often told to do- to stay calm. Breathe, and don’t panic. Sounds familiar, right?

Often it is easier said than done. But it also helps if we know how to respond to the crisis situation. Fire? Stay low to avoid smoke, evacuate the building, call 911. Profuse bleeding? Stabilize the victim, apply pressure to the wound, seek medical attention.

Dangerously distraught friend? Seemingly suicidal stranger? **Crickets**

The latter two of these sensitive situations are as much a crisis as the others. They are just as jolting, and as life threatening. So why is it that we don’t know the protocol to help those in crisis? Should we drop everything and tend to their every need? Or assure them that this too shall pass and just carry on?

Eddy County Community Cares is partnering with professionals from the Fargo Veteran Affairs Health Care System to bring light to these questions in First Aid for Suicide Prevention course, held on Thursday, April 25 at the First Lutheran Church from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and supper will be included.

This course is designed to help emergency personnel and first responders improve their skills to engage with those experiencing a potentially suicidal crisis. While emergency personnel are often defined as anyone who works or volunteers for the ambulance, fire department, police department or dispatch, first responders fall into a much broader category.

A first responder, especially in a small community, can be virtually any civilian who is the first on the scene and who makes a call for help. This includes anyone who has immediate contact with a suicidal individual— such as health care professionals, social workers, pastors, hairdressers, bartenders, teachers, bank tellers, friends and family members.

All are welcome. The more people we can have trained, the safer our community will be. Eddy County Community Cares’ mission is to foster mental health, suicide prevention and awareness, and provide support for those who have been impacted by suicide.

The training will be led by Nicole Veleska BSN, RN and Jennifer Kimball Walker LICSW from Fargo Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention, Education and Outreach.

In addition, this course can qualify for POST certified credits, as needed per Peace Officer Certification. For those in need of such credits, the training will begin at 4pm. Please register in advance with Mindy Meier. Call or text Mindy at (701) 625-1544.