WV Suicide Prevention offers training to local educators

SCARBRO, WV (WOAY) – West Virginia Suicide Prevention hosted a free training program to bring awareness to local educators.

Suicide is a very difficult topic to discuss and knowledge may help the next suicidal person. At the New River Health Annex, educators, counselors, and social workers came together for a suicide prevention training program.

“I think that it’s important for teachers, counselors, principles and even administrators at the school to have this material. Like I said its such an important topic being able to help others in such a serious time is a great tool to have,” said Health Educator Kelly Lacava.

The two-hour training program is designed to help educate the adults that the youth are around the most. Health Educator Hope Siler says by improving knowledge and skills can help save the next suicide victim.

“I want them to not be frightened by the word suicide. I want them to understand that suicide is a word that can be said and should be said and we don’t need to be silent about that anymore,” said Program Manager for West Virginia Suicide Prevention Hope Siler.

School Health Educator Kelly Lacava says she believes it’s important for every faculty member in schools to have this material and be able to deliver it properly.

“Definitely confident in presenting this material, I think that’s really important as an educator. If you never took a course like this and if you don’t have information and feel confident it’s definitely harder to present that information to others,” said Lacava.

For more information, or if you know someone that needs help contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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