Workshops aim to prevent suicides
About 120 deaths take place in Hawaii yearly, the state says
Two-day training workshops are scheduled through May across the state to try to prevent suicides, Hawaii's leading cause of death from injuries.
The state Department of Health is conducting the workshops with the Suicide Prevention Task Force and Hawaii Suicide Prevention Education Awareness Research Foundation of America.
Suicide continues to be an urgent public-health issue, with an average of 120 suicide deaths annually, about one every three days, according to the DOH. Another 870 are hospitalized after a suicide attempt.
More than 30,000 people take their lives every year nationally, the DOH said.
The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is intended for "gatekeepers," those who might be in touch with people at risk for suicide. They include counselors, teachers, social workers, clergy, crisis workers, law enforcement and health workers. Families and other concerned residents are invited.
Participants must register and pay in advance and commit two days for the workshops, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Workshops are scheduled for Feb. 28-29 in Hilo and June 26-27 in Kona; March 6-7 and May 8-9 on Molokai; March 19-20 in Kahului and June 19-20 in Lahaina; and April 24-25 and May 29-30 on Oahu.
The Kauai workshop was held last week.
Information about registration, costs and meeting places may be obtained by calling Kapiolani Community College at 734-9211 or by visiting the health events section of the DOH Web site at www.hawaii.gov/health.
Information is also available from Suicide Prevention Coordinator Art Tani, 586-5939.