GREAT FALLS — Organizers of the annual "No More Violence Week" will be offering a free webinar on suicide prevention on April 17th, from 12-1 pm, using Zoom.
This presentation focuses on suicide within our culture with specific attention on Montana. The exhibition covers national and Montana data, demographics of a suicidal person, warning signs, risk assessment, training on how to intervene with a suicidal person, evidenced-based practices, and resources available.
Karl Rosston is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. He provides evidenced-based programs to all Montana secondary schools, implements the State Suicide Prevention Plan, supports the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, implements firearm safety programs and statewide media campaigns, provides suicide prevention training, and coordinates suicide prevention efforts around the state. Karl is adjunct faculty at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and a nationally certified trainer in QPR and Mental Health First Aid.
Previously, Karl was the Director of Social Services at Shodair Children's Hospital in Helena. Before returning to Montana, he was on the faculty of the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, and a clinical consultant with the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections.
He is a licensed clinical social worker who maintains a small private practice in Helena. He received his Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver and his Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Montana.
Jamie Marshall, who's the chair of No More Violence Week, says this is a time for all us to look out for each other. "Everyone I feel like is learning to make adjustments and combinations of COVID-19. When we first realized we would definitely need to postpone no more violence week. We took about one or two weeks to pause and see how things were going and unfolding. Then we came together as a planning committee. We identified those topics and training we felt were most critical to be done right now in the midst of what all is going on. Those we are working to take virtually. Others we have rescheduled for the fall or perhaps in the summer months and a few we are postponing next year entirely". says, Marshall
The event is entirely free and open to all.
"It's open to anyone, and anyone can come and participate. We have certainly heard already from law enforcement, health care workers, nonprofits organizations this is the topic that they are really need help on right now. Anyone that is interested in learning about signs of suicide or other resources available or here locally. I will put a call into the 211 number its very active and alive and well right now. If you have any questions or concerns, that's the number you can call, but Karl will be going into specifics". says, Marshall
