Community Helper Trainings (CHTS)

Community Helper Trainings, or CHTs, refer to structured trainings that equip both community members and professional with the skills needed to interact with someone who is experiencing mental health challenges. These trainings vary in length, detail, and a person’s proximity to crisis. Learn more about the various CHTs below.

La Plata County can offer both COMET and Mental Health First Aid as a community helper training (free of charge!). COMET is a 60-90 minute training that focuses on community connection and noticing when someone isn’t themselves. Mental Health First Aid is a 6-8 hour training that dives into specific mental health challenges and equips participants with the skills needed to intervene when they notice early warning signs of a crisis, worsening signs, and active crisis situations.

  • Fostering mental wellbeing

  • Stigma reduction

  • Suicide data/statistics

  • Suicide prevention services/community resources

Other Opportunities to Learn with La Plata County

In addition to community helper trainings, La Plata County is always eager to partner with various individuals and organizations to build knowledge and skills relating to suicide prevention and mental wellness. Click the link above or contact Sydney (sdonnelly@lpcgov.org | 970-828-8808) to connect and learn more about presentation, facilitated discussion, or technical assistance opportunities for the following topics:

  • Suicide warning signs

  • Suicide risk and protective factors

  • Building out policy/skills within a group/organization

  • Building a Postvention Plan (response after a suicide loss)

Learn more about popular community helper trainings:

  • QPR- Question, Persuade, Refer

    QPR is a 90 minute training that equips Individuals with the skills needed to understand suicidality and identify someone is at risk for suicide. Participants will leave the training with necessary tools for asking someone if they are thinking of suicide, persuading them to stay alive, and connecting them to resources.

    QPR is offered online and in-person.

    QPR

  • MHFA- Mental Health First Aid

    MHFA is a 6-8 hour course that teaches community members how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. After the training, individuals will be able to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing crisis.

    MHFA is offered online and in-person. There are trainings specific to supporting youth as well.

    MHFA

  • COMET- Changing our Mental & Emotional Trajectories

    COMET is a 90 minute upstream training was designed to empower community members to initiate supportive interaction, building on the rural values of neighbor helping neighbor. COMET is less suicide-specific, and more so emphasizes the importance of connectedness.

    COMET is offered online and in-person

    COMET

  • ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

    ASIST is a 2-day, full day interactive workshop that will provide participants with the skills to intervene with someone who has thoughts of suicide. Learnings include developing a safety plan fo keep someone safe-for-now, and connect them with further help; talking openly about personal and community attitudes and suicide; build confidence and capacity in providing suicide first-aid

    Courses are typically offered in-person only.

    ASIST

  • CALM- Counseling on Access to Lethal Means

    CALM is an online, self-paced course that heightens an individual’s understanding of suicide. This course teaches individuals how to work with individuals at risk-for suicide and reduce access to the methods people use to kill themselves. Motivational Interviewing is emphasized in this course.

    This course is estimated to take 2 hours online and self-paced. There are in-person options available as well.

    CALM

  • CAMS-- Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality

    CAMS is an 8 hour training intended for care providers who counsel patients experiencing suicidal ideation and/or thoughts of self harm. Training includes introduction of the Suicide Status Form. In addition, this training equips individuals with the skills needed to identify drivers, and treatment of suicidality.

    Trainings are typically offered online.

    CAMS