BACC to host suicide prevention event Thursday

Art has forever been a way to express our innermost feelings that are hard to express with words alone.

Several exhibits over the past year at the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center (BACC) have specifically correlated mental health issues and using art as a coping method.

In response to severe spikes in suicide rates across the state of Montana, the Nate Chute Foundation - a Whitefish-based suicide prevention organization, ImagineIF and BACC have teamed up to host a LEARN Community Education event at the BACC on Thursday, Sept. 21st at 7 p.m.

The 90-minute session is designed to equip community members with critical skills for supporting those who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and connect them to vital community resources.

Topics include how to make a home safer to prevent the risk of suicide, how to ask about suicide in a safe way and how to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis and intervene when necessary.

The free suicide prevention class at BACC is open to the public and recommended for all community members, including teenagers and their parents.

LEARN is an-evidence based curriculum from Forefront Suicide Prevention at the University of Washington whose mission it is to help people take action to prevent suicide.

For more details, visit www.natechutefoundation.org or contact info@natechutefoundation.org.