Contact:
Jeff Starck
Marshfield Clinic
715-389-4978 / Jeffrey.Starck@sanfordhealth.org
MARSHFIELD, Wis. – Marshfield Clinic is offering two free, online suicide prevention trainings in September for community members especially those who support farmers, first responders, military personnel and veterans.
The events are part of a community outreach initiative organized by the Marshfield Clinic Veterans Care Coordinator (VetCoor) and the Marshfield Clinic Military & Veterans Employee Resource Group, in collaboration with the AgriSafe Network, Inc. These sessions are designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and equip participants with practical tools to prevent suicide in rural communities.
“Suicide prevention training can empower any of us – friends, neighbors, coworkers, parishioners, farmers, veterans – to recognize warning signs, start difficult conversations, and help connect someone to the support that could save a life,” said Bryan Weichelt, Ph.D., research scientist and past chair of Marshfield Clinic’s Military & Veterans Employee Resource Group. “Every person trained in suicide prevention becomes a bridge between silence and support, hope and healing.”
Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) launched a statewide Injury and Violence Prevention Strategic Plan this week for reducing injuries, experiences of violence, and violent deaths in Wisconsin –including suicide.
Anyone in the community is invited to register for the sessions. The two sessions offered are:
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training – Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Tailored for rural firefighters, EMS professionals, veterans, and others serving rural communities. Participants will learn how to recognize signs of mental health distress, respond effectively to someone in crisis, and connect individuals with appropriate support resources. The training features practical examples and scenarios to help participants build confidence in applying QPR principles. The QPR training will be facilitated by Agri-Safe Network’s Noah Hopkins, population health scientist, and Tara Haskins, total farmer health director.
Based on feedback from our rural fire and EMS partners, this 1.5-hour training is scheduled during a timeframe that may be easier to incorporate into regularly scheduled drill nights and training activities.
To register, use the Zoom registration link provided for the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PeaHZK2WSvGgViyINONyiA. After submitting your registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing Zoom access information and additional instructions.
CALM (Conversations on Access to Lethal Means) counseling training health professionals – Sept. 17, 5 p.m.
This 4-hour workshop is designed for mental health clinicians, primary care providers, substance use counselors, hotline responders, and crisis intervention professionals. Through case studies, video vignettes, and interactive practice opportunities, participants will develop practical skills to support individuals experiencing suicidal crises.
Participants will learn how to collaboratively develop safety plans with clients and families, discuss and implement strategies for safe storage of lethal means, help create opportunities to “cause a pause” during moments of crisis, and strengthen intervention and counseling skills through real-world scenarios and guided practice.
The training will be facilitated by Haskins and Olivia Bury, behavioral health coordinator and licensed professional counselor. Register via the Zoom registration link provided for the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sUvxgdGMRDu3L9z8lWtERA
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
