NPC, SPA, CHI St. Vincent Partner to Offer Suicide Awareness Training
National Park College (NPC) has partnered with CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs and Suicide Prevention Allies to offer suicide awareness training to faculty, staff and students.
Last Wednesday, Susie Reece, Violence Prevention Specialist for CHI St. Vincent and Executive Director of Suicide Prevention Allies gave a presentation for students that provided a general overview as part of a first tier effort to introduce suicide awareness and mental health topics.
The College hosted a free safeTALK suicide awareness training Friday that was open
to the public. The tier two half-day alertness training is designed to help those
who want to become alert to the dangers of suicide. It included access to local community
resources and hands-on skills and practice.
“This training is amazing and will make students aware of the mental health resources
on our campus, as well as train them about how to react as bystanders on our campus,”
said Susan Millerd, Behavioral Intervention Specialist at NPC.
A third tier training is scheduled for the spring semester that will provide intensive
training for faculty and staff focused on identifying red flags for suicide prevention
and mental health issues.
A Veteran’s Mini Mental Health Summit is scheduled for October 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Frederick M. Dierks Center
for Nursing and Health Sciences at NPC. The event is organized by the Veterans Community
Partnership of the Ouachitas.
NPC began suicide awareness efforts in February 2016 after hosting the Cracked, Not Broken Suicide Prevention Conference featuring Kevin Hines, who survived after jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. In April 2017, the College hosted the Just A Minute: PSA Showcase featuring Joshua Rivedal, author, innovator in mental health, and founder of The i’Mpossible Project.
Earlier this year, the Arkansas General Assembly passed House Bill 1666 (Act 1007) which requires institutions of higher education to provide information about mental health, suicide prevention services and early warning signs.
“Our goal is to remove the stigmas associated with mental health services. We want students, staff and community members to know that it is OK to seek help. Everyone needs support at some point in their life and there is no shame in reaching out,” said Millerd.
Pictured is Susie Reece during the safeTALK suicide awareness training held Friday at National Park College.
