The Lynchburg College Counseling Services is sponsoring a two-day intensive training and education program on suicide prevention. The training is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. The program will be held in the large meeting room of Brewer Townhouse at LC.
This free program is funded through a federal grant awarded to just a few states, and there is only one more year of funding for this program, which would normally cost $600 per person. The program, presented by certified trainers from Crisis Line of Central Virginia, provides tools for dealing with situations that are suggestive of suicide. "Too often, when a situation is ambiguous, we fail to take proactive steps," said Donna McGill, administrative director or LC’s Health and Counseling Services. "This training program empowers people to respond competently and confidently in such circumstances. The 30 or more people who have attended this program from the LC campus have given it high ratings."
McGill said the training is valuable to everyone because anyone can be confronted with a person threatening to commit suicide or exhibiting suicidal behavior. This is the fifth training at LC year, and it is open to the public.
Contact hours and continuing education credits are available for clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and those in the medical profession. If you are interested in attending or need more information, contact Donna McGill at 544-8616.