Strafford News

City of Dover issued the following announcement on January 4.

The Dover Mental Health Alliance, in partnership with the Dover School District, is offering monthly evening suicide prevention classes to community members through June 2, with the first class this Thursday, Jan. 6. Participants are welcome to register for any of the free training courses.

Trainers will utilize the NAMI-New Hampshire Connect Suicide Prevention program, designed as a public health approach to suicide prevention. NAMI-New Hampshire is the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Participants will learn how to recognize the signs of someone in emotional distress, suicide risk factors, and ways to help.

"It is our community's responsibility to play a part in suicide prevention," said Suzanne Weete of the Dover Mental Health Alliance. "You don't need to be a therapist to help someone if you can recognize the signs of distress and know how to respond appropriately."

This training is appropriate for parents and community members or anyone in contact with individuals at risk, whether in a professional, personal, or informal capacity as a gatekeeper. A gatekeeper's role is to be aware of persons in their community, recognize any risk factors or warning signs, connect with that individual, and get the necessary help to provide safety and support for the person at risk.

The training is free, but registration is required. A minimum of 10 people must register/attend for the class to be held. Participants must be 18 or older; the course is not suitable for students. The three-hour classes are held on the first Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dover High School library at 25 Alumni Drive in Dover. The training date options are Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, May 5 and June 2. Participants only need to attend one training.

To register, complete the Google Doc form at https://bit.ly/3JE96NX. 

Region 6 Integrated Delivery Network provided a grant to the Dover Mental Health Alliance to help cover training costs with additional funding from the Dover School District. The Dover Mental Health Alliance is the community engagement arm of Community Partners, Strafford County's local, non-profit community mental health center. For more information about the Dover Mental Health Alliance and upcoming classes, visit www.facebook.com/DoverMHA, or email Suzanne Weete at suzanneweete@communitypartnersnh.org.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These lines are staffed 24/7 by trained mental health professionals.

Original source can be found here.