Wichita State University, along with several community partners, presents the Suspenders4Hope Preventing Suicide Training at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 21 at The Phoenix Gym, 145 N. Wabash in Wichita. This free training will be facilitated by Dr. Jessica Provines, Wichita State’s assistant vice president for wellness and chief psychologist. It’s open to all addiction treatment counselors and providers and community members. 

Suicide and substance abuse are inextricably linked, and research informs the best ways to assist in times of suicidal crisis. Asking direct questions and sharing concerns, staying close and offering resources can all make a positive difference. The Suspenders4Hope Preventing Suicide Training empowers attendees to contribute to a culture that supports mental health and encourages wellness. 

Many people struggle with suicidal thoughts and moments of suicidal crisis. However, more than 99.5% of people also recover from suicidality. When equipped with the right information, many of us may have an opportunity to help ourselves, friends, family members, and coworkers through mental health struggles. And for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, the material provided in the training can help make sense of the loss and promote healing in an accepting space. 

Attendees have the opportunity to earn 1.5 hours of continuing education credits. For more information about #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope, visit suspenders4hope.com. 

---

Wichita State University serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 16,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.

---

Wichita State University started the #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Program in 2015 when the Counseling and Prevention Services team was awarded a SAMSHA Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant. The strength of the #WeSupportU program is the combination of evidence-based training, advocate program, wellness curriculum and the Suspenders4Hope awareness campaign to help create a culture that supports mental health and encourages wellness.