Suicide prevention classes offered

Flathead County’s suicide rate almost doubled in 2016, according to Joan Schmidt, program director for the Nate Chute Foundation, a nonprofit that’s working to prevent suicides in the region.

White males accounted for seven out of 10 suicides and in the Flathead, middle-aged men made up the bulk of the deaths.

Last year there were 43 suicides in the valley, Schmidt said. In order to help folks dealing with suicide and to help with suicide prevention, the Nate Chute Foundation and the Flathead County Health Department is offering training for mental health first aid — a course to help people intervene and counsel folks who may be considering suicide.

The courses are held in Kalispell and sessions are March 17, March 21, 23, May 5 and Sept. 15. Youth mental health first aid is April 14, May 6 and Sept. 13. Each session runs about eight hours. The March 21 and 23 session is from 4 to 7:30 p.m. each day.

Call Schmidt at 871-1008 for more information and to register for the classes.