WESTFIELD-City resident Heather White is eager to start a conversation about suicide prevention – and encourages teens, parents and concerned citizens to get involved.
White, an area director with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), will sponsor safeTalk training sessions later this month at First United Methodist Church on Court Street. The word “safe” in safeTalk stands for “Suicide Alertness for Everyone.”
“Suicide is the only leading cause of death that is on the rise in the United States,” said White. “It is up to each and every one of us to learn the signs and the basic steps to help someone struggling.”
White said the statistics are “startling” and in particular, the fastest growing rates of suicide are among teenage girls.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death in our children as young as 10 to 15 years old,” said White. “Behind only accidents, this makes depression and suicide the number one medical cause of death for our children and yet the mental health of our children is just not made a priority in this country.”
Heather White will be a presenter during safeTalk programs on suicide prevention later this month in the city. (Submitted photo)
White is passionate about the need for community members to educate themselves to the realities of suicide, the signs, and ways to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
“This community and First United Methodist Church have been very supportive of suicide prevention and awareness efforts,” said White, noting she is a member of the church.
Training sessions are planned at the church on March 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and seating is limited so early registration is advised. The cost is $10. Three CEU’s will be available for an additional $15. In addition, a Talk Saves Lives community presentation is slated March 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. which is open to the public and pre-registration is not required. A brief question and answer period will also be provided.
White will lead the presentations and be assisted by Bertha Connelley, safeTalk trainer and Western Massachusetts AFSP board member.
“This training is appropriate for everyone over the age of 15,” said White. “We would encourage teens to attend because this is scientifically proven to increase the skills, knowledge, and confidence of those who attend to help someone they are concerned about in the event of a mental health crisis.”
White noted the workshop is interactive and allows participants to “practice” how to start a sometimes complicated and difficult conversation with a friend or loved one that could save their life.
“The training also teaches more in-depth signs and invitations that someone could be reaching out for help, and dispels myths around suicide that sometimes lead to people missing, dismissing, or avoiding these signs,” said White. “This is especially prevalent among teens who often don’t know what to do or say to a friend or loved one.”
White said the training is a “critical step” in creating a “Suicide Safer Community” and the more people who are armed with the information, the more lives that can be saved.
“It would be a unique and important opportunity to parents and teens to experience this training together because so often, young people feel they don’t have any trusted adults they can go to in the event of a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide for themselves or a friend,” said White.
White added that by attending safeTalk together, the teens would know their parents have the same information and they can trust their parents to get the help they need.
“Vice versa, it would benefit a parent to be learning alongside their child to start an open and honest conversation about mental health within their family,” said White. “In case a situation where the topic might be too difficult for a teen, or any attendee, and additional support is needed, having a parent on hand could be beneficial.”
For more information or to register for one of the two training sessions, email White at [email protected]. The AFSP is a nationwide organization with more than 84 chapters, reaching every state. The Western Massachusetts chapter oversees Hampden, Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin counties. For more information on safe reporting guidelines on suicide, visit www.reportingonsuicide.org.
White added that the National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 800-273-TALK (8255) – is an important resource for anyone with thoughts of suicide.
