Free Suicide Prevention Training Offered In Basking Ridge, Nov. 2

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention New Jersey Chapter, Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Bernards Township Health Department will be sponsoring a suicide prevention training at the Bernards Township Library on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

SafeTALK is a half-day training program that teaches participants to recognize and engage anyone who might be having thoughts of suicide and to connect them with community resources trained in suicide intervention.

SafeTALK stresses safety while challenging taboos that inhibit open talk about suicide. The 'safe' of safeTALK stands for 'suicide alertness for everyone'. The 'TALK' letters stand for the practice actions that one does to help those with thoughts of suicide: Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe.

Over the course of the training safeTALK participants will learn to notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts might be present, recognize that invitations for help are often overlooked, move beyond the common tendency to miss, dismiss, and avoid suicide, Apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and know community resources and how to connect someone with thoughts of suicide to them for further help.

This training is intended for anyone in the community over the age of 15, regardless of prior experience or training. This program will take place at the Bernards Township Library in Program Room B, located at 32 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge. Pre-registration is required for this program. Call Kaitlin Cartoccio at 908-204-2523 to register.

For more information, visit www.bernardshealth.org.

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