Idaho Awareness to Action Youth Suicide Prevention Project offers free training in Burley Feb. 8

Idaho State University's Institute of Rural Health is accepting pre-registration for a free suicide prevention training in Burley in February.

This training will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Best Western Burley Inn, 800 N. Overland Ave.

This training is designed to provide the latest scientific information on the warning signs, risk and protective factors for suicide and mental illness, along with practical guidance on how to identify youth at risk for suicide.  Information will assist professionals, community leaders, parents, advocates and all those who care for children and youth.

Continuing Education Credit is offered to social workers, nurses and licensed counselors who attend the entire six-hour training.  These professionals will receive CEU's only if they attend the entire training. Others who attend will receive certificates of completion.

This training is free and open to the community, but seating is limited.  Pre-registration is required.  To register online, go to http://isu.edu/irh/. Email pre-registration to preventsuicide@isu.edu or phone Kristi Beck at (209) 282-4436.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Idaho youth aged 15-34.  According to the Suicide Prevention Action Network in Idaho, in 2007 Idaho had the 11th highest suicide rate in the nation, 28% higher than the national average (SPAN Idaho).  In 2008, there were more deaths due to suicide in Idaho than any other year is recent history (251 deaths).  (Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.)   That increased further in 2009 when 307 Idahoans died by suicide.