A class designed to prepare people for the daunting task of suicide prevention was held at the Plains Bible Chapel on Tuesday and Wednesday. Organized by Lisa Talcot from Clark Fork Valley Hospital and taught by certified instructors Marty and Roxanna Colman-Herak.

Eighteen people spent two days learning how to handle a situation where someone may be suicidal. According to Talcot, the class is a workshop designed to help students gain the skills necessary to confidently and competently assist in suicide interventions.

The program, called A.S.I.S.T. which stands for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, is open to anyone who would like to learn how to help someone who is contemplating suicide.

The latest statistics available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness ranked Montana second in the nation of states with the highest suicide rates.

Montana had a rate of 20.5 suicides per 100,000 people. Only Alaska had a higher rate with 21.8 per 100,000. Talcot said Sanders County had an especially high suicide rate.

According to Talcot, “Suicide is a very scary subject to talk about. This gives people a concrete framework of how to talk about it.”

In addition to providing students with information and training, the class also served to dispel some of the common myths surrounding suicide.

One common myth is that once someone decides to die by suicide, there is nothing that can be done to stop them.

“Suicide can be prevented. Most people do not want to die they just want the pain to stop,” said Talcot

Another misconception is that there are not many warning signs before someone attempts suicide. According to the instructors, there are almost always warning signs.

“If someone is suicidal, it is always possible to intervene. Most of them do not want to die, they are just facing a problem that seems unsolvable. There is hope in each person,” said Talcot.

Talcot said she was planning another class scheduled for sometime in September. Those interested in taking the class should call Lisa Talcot at 826-4863.

Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts is urged to call the helpline at 1-800-273-TALK.