WCMHC will hold suicide prevention training Wednesday

WASHINGTON — The Washington County Mental Health Coalition (WCMHC) invites all community members 18 and older to join a free suicide prevention training called “Question, Persuade, Refer” (QPR) on Wednesday, May 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Washington Free Public Library in the Nicola Stoufer and Washington State Bank Room. The coalition will provide a free lunch for participants and would appreciate advance registration at bit.ly/4bfjKYx or email washmhcoalition@gmail.com though walk-ins are welcome.

The trained facilitator is Megan Hammes, owner of Kalona-based Hammes Homestead and Consulting. Hammes will guide participants through this 90-minute training to: 1) recognize the warning signs of suicide; 2) know how to offer hope; and 3) know how to get help and save a life.

This training is part of WCMHC’s May initiatives to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month and National Prevention Week (May 12—18.) Keep an eye out for other coalition initiatives in May, like painted window displays at businesses around the Washington Square to celebrate the possibilities of life with strong mental health and substance misuse prevention. We are grateful to the Washington Community High School staff and students who will help paint. Keep an eye on our Facebook page (Washington County Mental Health Coalition) for encouraging mental health messages in May. The coalition will also be hosting a Toss the Stigma Bags tournament with Washington’s Ridiculous Days on Saturday, June 1.

Washington County Mental Health Coalition’s mission is to “promote mental health well-being through awareness, connections, and education.” All community members are welcome to join.