FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Watch the press conference video HERE.

Let’s Stand Together, Eastern Idaho, to help our Everyday Heroes and our communities by restoring hope, facilitating opportunities for healing, build resilience, and learn additional life-saving skills! May is Mental Health Awareness Month, check out these amazing cross-training and networking opportunities training opportunities.

Eastern ID – First Responder/Community Leader Trauma -Focused Mental Health, Wellness, and Suicide Prevention Training – May 24-28th, 2021

(All trainings are POST certified – Idaho Peace Officer Standards in Training)

Idaho Falls, Idaho – This week-long multifaceted training and networking opportunity is for: ALL FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY/VETERANS, (RETIREES & SPOUSES INCLUDED), RELIGIOUS & COMMUNITY LEADERS INVITED TO ATTEND

A Collaborative Effort: Courageous Survival, the Idaho American Legion, Code 3 to 2 Retired Law Enforcement Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Idaho), the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, & The Center for Hope, present an entire week of specialized training in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We are honored to work alongside the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs as they present national speakers and resources from across the nation at their Law Enforcement Conference that week as well.

Our mission is to equip and empower community leaders with invaluable mental health, wellness, resiliency building, peer support and suicide prevention skills. These trainings will provide the opportunity to bring First Responders (Both active and retired), Military Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, Chaplains or other religious leaders, and Community Leaders together for a three-fold purpose:

1. Provide a deeper understanding of how to recognize and assist individuals struggling with mental health issues, Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI), and suicidality throughout the community.
2. Equip these specific demographic groups in order to provide enhanced peer support for their colleagues.
3. To increase the number of individuals with Suicide Prevention training and skills within our community, which will in turn, ultimately save more lives.

*In light of the school shooting that rocked the town of Rigby and all of our communities recently, along with the dramatic rise in Officer Involved Shootings over the past several months, we feel it is crucial to open discussions on the importance of mental health. Not only is it critical to give people the tools for times of crisis, but to learn to build resilience, and maintain one’s mental health. It’s also important to talk about recognizing how exposure to trauma, whether experiencing it personally or responding to it, can deeply impact us. Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries often go unrecognized or unacknowledged, leading to PTSD or other debilitating health issues. The lasting effects that can impact first responders, their families and the community, as well as survivors of trauma, can be devastating over time if the right resources are not readily available.

There are still many stigmas that surround even the willingness to discuss mental health. This is the reason we would like to come together right now to let first responders and the community as a whole, know that these crucial resources are available and invite them to attend and join the discussion. The majority of these trainings during the May 24-28th week are FREE or discounted to half-price due to the generosity of partners within this group, which makes this an even better opportunity for people to take advantage of. We invite you to learn more about these efforts by following the link to the Courageous Survival website. https://courageoussurvival.com/training-%26-tools