Three new mental health courses available at North West College. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Keaton Brown

Mental Health Education

North West College offers new courses on mental health

Aug 29, 2019 | 2:01 PM

When it comes to conversations around mental health, education can play a key role in removing negative stigma.

Next month is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and North West College in North Battleford is offering a variety of new courses with a focus on mental health.

North West College partnered with LivingWorks to host two courses on suicide intervention and will be delivering a part-time professional development program in partnership with Lakeland College.

LivingWorks safeTALK will be a half-day workshop with a focus on suicide alertness on September 18. It will help participants recognize a person with thoughts of suicide and connect them with the resources they need.

Director of Programs at North West College Melanie Roberts said the program is an opportunity for people to have the right tools to help someone who opens up about suicide.

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“It helps them to be able to better support that person in decision making. It increases your comfort with someone who may start talking about suicide with you and gives you some good ideas about how to keep that person safe” she said.

It is for anyone over the age of 15 and requires no formal preparation before attending the training.

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) Suicide Intervention Workshop will be a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid on September 26 to 27. ASIST will teach participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.

“This one is suicide first aid; it is a little bit more in depth. If you have ASIST you can a go little bit farther down that path and assist people in a different way. It gives you more information and more opportunity to take action. It also gives you comfort in knowing what to do [in that situation]” Roberts said.

Community Mental Health is a certificate program for professionals that will focus on the knowledge and skills you need to work effectively everyday with mental health and wellness issues. It is a part-time program that is accredited by Lakeland College.

The Community Mental Health program is designed for people who already have a certificate diploma or degree and are already working in human services, health or education areas.

“It helps people become really well versed in understanding mental health,” she said. “It really is for someone who is working in the field gain a very strong understanding of mental health and some of the intervention that are available to help support people work through their mental health issues.”

Roberts said these programs will help remove the negative stigma surrounding mental health and should hopefully make it easier for people to come forward.

“The College recognizes the impact mental health can play on each member of our community. When a student comes to North West College we provide support beyond the classroom. Mental health is critical to personal success and we are committed to supporting the whole student,” she said.

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Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow