Suicide rates are dramatically increasing among our community organizations, teachers and fire, police, and EMS. This is serious but preventable. We need to become more aware of identifying when someone’s mental pain is to a point, and they see no way out. When a person struggles with this type of condition, they experience “straw vision.” They are looking, as if through a ‘straw,’ which causes a limited view of what to do, which leads to a terrible state of hopelessness.
Today’s research indicates First Responders are overwhelmed because of exposure to traumatic events, long hours, sleep deprivation, which causes stress, anxiety, depression that leads to PTSD.
We need a change in attitude by recognizing communication, knowledge, and awareness to save lives. A clear and relevant way to achieve this goal is through Suicide Prevention Awareness (SPA). Through SPA, learning suicide signs, causes, and solutions for prevention, we become better equipped to keep people safe. It’s designed to detect those who are in the thinking or ideation phase of a suicide plan.
By recognizing calls for help and offering hope. Suicide can be prevented.
Click on the profession that describes your organization for detailed program information.
Organizations Served:
Fire Departments
Community Organizations
Police
EMS
Schools
Implement Internal Training through our Train the Trainer Program
Our Train-the-trainer program is designed to instruct an ‘in-house’ person to facilitate the program. This model provides a process to roll out training across the department/organization at scale cost-effectively. Also, the follow-up & reinforcement sessions included with the program enhance the retention of knowledge and skills.
Materials included in the train-the-trainer program:
- Train-the-Trainer Manual-Comprehensive Coaching & Instruction
- Completed PowerPoint Program
- Participant Materials
- Follow-up & Reinforcement Sessions
- Updates to Training Content/Materials
The purpose of this program is to provide information and skills to facilitate the Suicide Prevention Awareness (SPA) Program. To accomplish this, our program is built upon the following learning system.
- Attention – Ability to keep participants focused on the training material.
- Retention – Able to recall information later and act on it.
- Reinforcement – Further discussion and interaction through follow-up sessions.
The Training Content includes the following modules:
- Suicidal Warning Signs
- Suicidal Myths & Realities
- Be Aware of someone at risk.
- Ask questions to start a conversation.
- Act to create a safety plan.
- Follow-up to ensure intervention.
Training
Many organizations struggle with people who are experiencing emotional distress. Our training focuses on identifying interpersonal distress signals/warning signs and help people to identify community resources for help.
What about the men, women, and children struggling with suicidal thoughts?
- Do you know how to identify the signs?
- What can you do to approach a person who is struggling?
- How can you ensure success to prohibit them from taking action?
We can help
John Connors has been training people for over 25 years. His expertise has traditionally been sought out to work with service professionals across multiple disciplines. John collaborates closely with his clients and becomes an essential piece of the team’s success.
Recently, he has been asked about training people on social issues, more specifically suicide prevention. Did you know that more Americans die from suicide than homicide? At a point in their careers, many employers, managers, and supervisors from all industries are faced with a suicide situation.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to identify a person struggling with suicide and have the courage, and training, to approach that person and help?
Courage Through Action
Why/Reason
Deliver messages that gives hope and belonging. This requires courage and commitment to take necessary action.
How/Action
Educate Law Enforcement about suicide to not be afraid to reach out and ask, “you haven’t been yourself lately, is everything ok?”
What/Result
A change in a person’s attitude to create hope through communication and action.
Q: How can we make a difference in someone’s life?
A: The sooner a warning sign of suicidal behavior is detected the better the
outcome of a suicidal crisis.