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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 10:56 a.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Hawaii suicide-prevention workshops start tomorrow

Advertiser Staff

Suicide-prevention workshops will be held statewide starting tomorrow on Kaua'i.

The two-day training is geared toward "gatekeepers" or those who may be in contact with troubled individuals who may be considering suicide.

Counselors, teachers, social workers, clergy, crisis workers, law enforcement, health workers, and anyone concerned about family members and friends are invited. The workshops are being put on by the State Department of Health in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Task Force and Hawai'i S.P.E.A.R. (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness Research) Foundation of America, is conducting suicide prevention workshops statewide.

The workshop, called Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, prepares individuals to recognize and respond to those in crisis. Workshop participants will learn to use a suicide intervention model, thus reducing the suicide risk. The workshop also covers information to link people with community resources.

Suicide is the second leading cause of injury death in Hawai'i, with one suicide being committed nearly every three days and another 870 attempted suicide victims hospitalized each year.

Nationally, more than 30,000 people commit suicide each year.

The workshops will be held tomorrow and Friday on Kaua'i; Feb. 28 and 29 in Hilo; June 26 and 27 in Kona; March 6 and 7 and May 8 and 9 on Moloka'i; March 19 and 20 (Kahului) and June 19 and 20 (Lahaina) on Maui; and April 24 and 25 and May 29 and 30 on O'ahu.

Workshops are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and you must register in advance.

For registration, cost information and meeting locations, call 734-9211.