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MINNEAPOLIS — A growing priority in schools and within health care is suicide prevention.
CentraCare, a health care system that serves central Minnesota, on Monday offered free online training for anyone to act as a “first responder” to someone who they believe may be at risk.
WCCO’s Derek James took the course, which is called S.A.V.E. The initials stand for recognizing the signs of suicide, asking the question, next validating the person’s experience, and then encouraging treatment.
Many people tend to get stuck after the first step. The organization said it’s important to keep the conversation open, to check in, to be able to bridge asking and hearing.
With teens, there can be the extra factor of increase sense of secrecy and independence.
What’s most important is being open to difficult conversations, listening and being honest in your responses, and starting conversations.
CentraCare is offering the free S.A.V.E. class again at the end of the month, Thursday, Sept. 29 from noon to 1 p.m.
Source: CBS
