Suicide Prevention/Intervention

Connect Suicide Prevention/Intervention Training increases the capacity of professionals and communities to prevent and respond to suicide across the lifespan.  Connect uses a public health approach and incorporates key elements of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.  Applying a unique community-based, holistic model,  Connect stands apart from other training programs. 

Connect's curriculum includes how to identify suicide warning signs and intervene with a person at risk.  Building on that foundation, Connect focuses on the community as a whole and how to work across systems to build a safely net for people at risk.

More than "just training", Connect fosters relationship building and the exchange of resources among participants.  Prior to the training, Connect staff wirk with the host agency to identify local cultural issues and begin planning how the training will be applied and sustained.

Connect has developed protocols for educators, community members, faith leaders, hospital emergency departments, law enforcement, mental health/substance abuse providers, military, primary care providers, and social services.

Master trainer/clinicians conduct the six-hour training that includes  activities, interactive case scenarios, and facilitated discussion, PowerPoint, and written materials.

Connect staff will consult with a tribal organization to customize the training.  Read more.

Training Highlights:

• How to recognize early warning signs of mental illness, substance abuse and other risk factors leading to suicide
• How to intervene and connect a suicidal person to resources
• Attitudes towards suicide and the effects of stigma
• National suicide trends and statistics
• Individual and community risk and protective factors
• Best practices on restricting access to lethal means and safe messaging
• The influence of electronic communication and media
• Roles and responsibilities of local service providers and others in the community to collaborate in building a safety net for persons at risk

Customized trainings are offered to the audiences below:

Individuals who have had a loss from suicide, particularly a recent loss (such as within the past year), may find that a suicide prevention training evokes discomfort and/or feelings of regret. It is recommended that anyone who is impacted by a loss to suicide contact the instructor before attending the training to determine their readiness for prevention training and to discuss any alternative programs which may be more appropriate. Survivors are encouraged to contact Connect staff in advance to discuss their readiness for participation.