September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month

Just the word 'suicide' can strike fear into my heart, and I'm a retired mental health professional!  I have to remind myself of what I know, which is that everyone, not just professionals, can learn to talk about suicide & gain skills to make a difference.  

Fortunately, there are online & in-person opportunities to learn:

Polk County  provides free in-person 1-2 hour  trainings in suicide prevention.   (If enough people are interested, we could once again host a training at Monmouth Christian Church, so email me at HMH@mymcc.cc and let me know.) 

You can go to the Mid-Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition website, www.mvsuicideprevention.org, and for $29 you can access an online "Gatekeeper" training in suicide prevention.

You can be prepared for a crisis by entering the following numbers into your phone -  They're available to call or text 24/7:

Polk Country Crisis Line:  (503) 623-9289

Psychiatric Crisis Center:  (503) 585-4949

National Suicide Prevention Hotline:  1-800-273-TALK

National Veteran Crisis Hotline:  1-800-273-8255, Press1

Veterans Text: 838-255

Oregon Youthline:  1-877-968-8491

Teens Text:  TEEN2TEEN to 839-863








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