Free suicide prevention training session in May

COEUR d'ALENE - The latest "scientific information" about youth suicide, warning signs, risk and prevention will be discussed in a free training session next month in Coeur d'Alene.

The session will assist community leaders, mental health providers, first responders, parents, advocates and those who provide care for children and young adults. Trauma experienced by caregivers also will be discussed.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Idahoans, ages 10-14 and third leading cause of death for 15-24-year-olds.

Up to 94 percent of teens and young adults who complete suicide have a diagnosable mental illness at the time of death, making early intervention and treatment vital to saving lives, said Ann Kirkwood, senior research associate at ISU-Meridian.

"By training Idaho adults to recognize signs and symptoms of suicide risk and to encourage them to intervene early we seek to reduce Idaho's high suicide rate," Kirkwood said.

The forum will be held at the Coeur d'Alene Best Western Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18.

Seating is limited so you must pre-register at http://isu.edu/irh/. Information: Kirsti Beck, preventsuicide@isu.edu or (208) 282-4436.

It is sponsored by the Awareness to Action Idaho Youth Suicide Prevention Project at Idaho State University-Institute of Rural Health.