|
(Continued from page 4)
happen," explained Marshall County (S.D.) Sheriff Dale Elsen. "You go in thinking the worst and deal with the problem, but we're acting like a counselor or psychiatrist and don't have a degree to do it."
• Melody Owen, editor of the Tri-County News in Gackle, N.D., and also an emergency medical technician, said she has responded to patients who had attempted suicide, and also to calls when a loved one was worried that a person would do him- or herself harm.
• "These calls are very difficult," Owen said, "due to the emotional/mental situation that we are minimally trained to treat, versus extensive medical life threats we are trained to treat."
• Some communities in the Dakotas are working to address mental health needs with training specifically to equip people with the skills they need to deal with a threat of suicide. First responders are improving their skills--and so are many kinds of caregivers, who want to make sure they can respond effectively if they see signs of suicidal thoughts.
•
• When the call comes in
• If someone is contemplating suicide in a rural Dakota community, who gets the call? Who is sent to help?
• Several hotlines are available for those who want to talk to someone. The one that works anywhere is 1-800-273-TALK, which is the National Suicide Prevention talk line. The number 211, intended to connect people with information about health (Continued on page 6)
|
|
