Break the Silence: PHD hosts free workshops for suicide awareness

Idaho is consistently one of the states with the highest reported rates of suicide. In 2017, the CDC reported suicide as Idaho's eighth-leading cause of death, climbing from 10th place in 2013.

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, Panhandle Health District will offer four free mental health awareness programs today.

"We want to promote suicide awareness in the community," Panhandle Health District's management assistant Jill Ainsworth said. "Part of that is educating the public on what a mental health crisis looks like, how to handle someone in a crisis, and identifying helpful resources."

With two options, one in person and one online, PHD's Adult Mental Health First Aid classes teach students how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. A Youth Mental Health First Aid class will also be available.

In the course, participants will learn about risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for helping those in crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

Virtual classes for both training courses run all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Panhandle Health is also hosting a two-hour, in-person, Question, Persuade and Refer course today from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Atlas Road location. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs of suicidal crisis and encourage someone to get help.

There will also be a free presentation by Carla Fine, author of "No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One."