The Ricky Ryp Foundation is opening a free safeTALK workshop September 21, at CCHS in Coleman from 9 am to 1230pm.
The Ricky Ryp Foundation was created to remember the passing of the local hockey player who lost his life to a battle with depression.
“Many people know someone who has either made a suicide attempt, completed suicide or suffers from depression,” says Corinne Petrone, addiction counselor for the East Kootenay Addiction Services Society.
“If you suspect you know someone who is suffering from depression or any other mental illness or if you think you know someone who might be having suicidal thoughts, this course is for you,” says Petrone who mentions she has taken the role of counselor for the workshop outside of her position with the Addiction Services Society.
Upon completion of this 3.5 hour course-safeTALK-trained suicide alert helpers will be better able to:
1) Move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide.
2) 2) Identify people who have thought of suicide
3) Apply the TALK step (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep safe) to connect a person with thoughts of suicide, to suicide first aid intervention caregivers.
“From a community level I believe the more people who gain a broader understanding of depression, anxiety and suicide the stronger we become as a community,” says Petrone.
“The more people understand the easier it is to talk about and the more likely we can help each other out,” she says.
The course allows each participant to realize any fear or anxiety they have about the issue of suicide or depression are completely normal and many people feel the same way, according to Petrone.
SafeTALK allows the people who take part in the program develop skills and build confidence about the subjects of depression and suicide so they can speak comfortably with another person if they have a problem, says Petrone.
“Many times individuals may know someone is struggling but they don’t know what to say, are afraid to say the wrong thing or are just or just feel if they avoid it- the situation will improve itself,” Petrone says.
To register send your full name mailing address and contact information to corpetrone@gmail.com.
There are only 30 spot available and refreshments will be provided.
