Behavioral Health hosts a unique conference for suicide prevention

September 15, 2017

Christopher Lomahquah

Gila River Indian News

Super heroes are often seen on the big screen, they are tough, brave and able to overcome the most formidable of obstacles.

In the Gila River Indian Community there are many heroes, some of which don’t wear a cape or dawn a flashy costume, but are like anyone of us, a common citizen of the Community.

The Gila River Health Care Behavioral Health Service prevention program has come up with a novel way of instilling the qualities of a super hero with Community youth at the Resilience Con 2017 held at the District 5 Multipurpose Building on Sept. 7.

BHS Prevention & Education Specialist Anna Pacheco said the workshop is about coming together and supporting each other, from the working professional to the youth, it’s a about overcoming the obstacles found in life.

The all-day workshop was also meant to recognize Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month during the month of September.

Although, the topic of suicide is a sensitive subject to discuss, it presents opportunities for community youth and professionals to come together to promote the positive concepts like resiliency and empowerment.

“We wanted to host an event like this to show the youth how strong they are and to promote the idea of empowerment, “said Pacheco.

“That treatment is possible, help is possible and that hope is there and a big part of what is resilience and how strong the Community can be,” she said, “We want to focus on the strengths and positives so of that we can say ‘yes to life,” and come together to promote life and promote resilience.”

Throughout the day four breakout sessions were hosted on different topics meant to promote key strengths the youth can tap into to become more resilient, such as Overcoming Obstacles, Bounce back and Get Stronger, Jeopardy of Cope and Chasing Hope.

“The obstacle course… the whole meaning behind that is overcoming obstacles, so doing an obstacle course and talking about being able to overcome the obstacles in our life.”

“Even making Chumuth with Dewskie, a local food vendor, is about coming together and socializing and talking with each other…. you know [we] talk to each other while having fun and when we are coming together and making Chumuth,” said Pacheco, “We can also talk, if we are hurting or struggling and need someone to talk to.” “It’ll be amazing for them to takeaway a special skill, it’s the main purpose for having a special day set aside for [them],” she said.

Pacheco said it is important for anyone, who is interested in learning more about coping and resiliency skills, should seek out the trainings offered by BHS.

She said workshops like the ASIST trainings, which stands for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training are offered for adults who are interested in suicide prevention strategies.

The trainings last one hour to four hours or more, covering more extensive topics, that provide mental first aid to individuals in need of assistance.

The ASIST workshop for adults is more in-depth training that is free to attend within the Community.

Pacheco said, “Training is offered every month, not just in September. The more that people are trained, the safer our environment becomes, and, the call for action for each of us to learn suicide prevention skills is important.”