Mental Health Education


Local Mental Health Education


QPR Training

Prevent Suicide Columbia County offers a free QPR training where participants learn the warning signs for suicide, how to offer hope and how to seek help to save a life. QPR stands for:

Question the person about suicide

Persuade the person to get help

Refer them for help

Send us an email for more information or free QPR training.


Suicide Warning Sign- Printable Wallet card


Mental Health First Aid- Adult (Offered through Madison College)

Learn to identify and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Gain skills you need to provide support to someone who is struggling.


Mental Health First Aid- Youth (Offered through Madison College)

Learn to identify and respond to signs of mental illnesses in children and teens. Learn appropraite ways to refer or acwuire help and treatment. 


Podcasts


Family Perspective on Care Transitions

Craig Kramer is Mental Health Ambassador and Chair, Global Campaign for Mental Health, in Neuroscience External Affairs at Janssen R&D, a Johnson & Johnson company and is an Executive Committee member of the National A

Screening Youth For Suicide Risk: Can it be done in a busy pediatric practice?

As a pediatrician screening for suicide, It’s not about the ones you find positive for suicide, it’s about the ones you may miss. 

Care Transitions Podcast Series

Nation-wide health care and lived experience experts talk about a facet of quality care transitions.

ICRC-S “Zero Suicide: Exploring Data and Evaluation” podcasts

These two podcasts focus on data and evaluation related to Zero Suicide implementation and feature Dr. Brian Ahmedani, Ph.D., LMSW, of the Henry Ford Health System Center for Health Services Research and Julie Drew, LCSW, MPA, of Geisinger Health System’s AtlantiCare, in New Jersey.

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Promoting Lethal Means Safety to Prevent Veteran Suicide with Joe Simonetti

Dr. Joseph Simonetti, MD, MPH, physician and suicide prevention researcher talks with the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for VA Suicide Prevention about the disproportionate role that firearms take in Veteran suicides.

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: The 2nd Zero Suicide Trilogy

Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention has released its second trilogy of Zero Suicide-related podcasts. These podcasts originated at the Bridging the Divide conference last May in Denver. 

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: The Zero Suicide Initiative Trilogy

In this podcast trilogy, Rocky Mountain Short host Adam Hoffberg interviews three key Zero Suicide Champions who attended the 50th annual American Association of Suicidology conference. 

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Talking to Patients About Firearm Safety

"Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Talking to Patients about Firearm Safety" is a conversation about firearm safety between the host, Adam Hoffberg, and Emmy Betz, an emergency room physician at the University of Colorado Hospital.

A #ZeroSuicide World: Interview with David Covington

In this podcast, Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW interviews David W. Covington, LPC, MBA regarding the importance of healthcare systems adopting and implementing Zero Suicide initiatives.




Book Recommendation


Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide

by Arrington Cox, Candy David, David Cox, Candy Arrington
B&H Publishing Group; October, 2003.

Aftershock is a recovery book that will provide encouragement and support for survivors. Examining the complex emotions involved in grieving a suicide death, readers will come to realize they are not alone in their grief and will not be alone in their healing.

But I Didn't Say Goodbye
Barbara Rubel
For parents and professionals to assist young survivors.

Dying to Be Free: A Healing Guide for Families After a Suicide
by Beverly Cobain, Jean Larch 
Hazelden; February, 2006.

Transforming suffering into strength, misconceptions into understanding, and shame into dignity, Beverly Cobain and Jean Larch break through the dangerous silence and stigma surrounding suicide to bring readers this much-needed book. Cobain's achingly honest account of dealing with the suicide of a loved one, along with personal stories from others who experienced this profound loss, provide powerful insight into the confusion, fear, and guilt family members experience.

The Empty Chair
Berly Glover
Author writes about issues and experiences from the experience of the suicide of a brother and a daughter.

In the Wake of Suicide: Stories of People Left Behind
by Victoria Alexander
Comforting stories of many survivors and their individual reactions to the suicide of a loved one. Depth and breadth of material.

My Son, My Son: A Guide to Healing After a Suicide in the Family
by Iris Bolton, Curtis Mitchell
Mom's perspective, very positive reader reviews.

No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One
by Carla Fine
Author experienced the death of her husband by suicide and explores the social stigma as well as the particular grief of survivors.

Suicide: Why?
by Adina Wrobleski
Suicide Why? is an excellent, very informative book on suicide. Adina Wrobleski, using her extensive knowledge and insight takes much of the mystery out of the most misunderstood subject. She explains, through the books question and answer format, what society must know in order to save lives. This book is also a good place for a suicide survivor to start when trying to find answers to the many questions he/she may have after the loss of a loved one by suicide.

Words I Never Thought to Speak
by Victoria Alexander Publisher: New York : Toronto : New York : Lexington Books ; Maxwell Macmillan Canada ; Maxwell Macmillan International, ©1991.
First person accounts of people's struggles after a loss by suicide.

Books for young people

After a Suicide
The Dougy Center
An activity book to assist children

Living when a Young Friend Commits Suicide
by Earl Grollman and Max Malikow
Easy to read for youth, also includes signs of impending suicide, what to do, who to tell.

Someone I Love Died by Suicide: A Story for Child Survivors and those Who Care About Them
by Doreen Cammarata, MS, Michael Ives Volk
Author is a mental health professional and a survivor since childhood of parental suicide. Intended for parents to read to children.

Talking With Children About Loss
by Maria Trozzi, Published by Beacon Press, 1990
Intended for parents to read to children.

When A Friend Dies: A Book For Teens About Grieving & Healing
by Marilyn Gootman Publisher: Minneapolis : Free Spirit, ©1994
If you are grieving the death of a friend, do something for yourself. Take the time to read this book. It isn't very long—there aren't a lot of words—but you may find the help you need to cope with your sadness and begin to heal