Oneida County to Host Suicide Prevention Training with National Advocates Kevin Briggs & Kevin Berthia

Awareness Activities Taking Place Throughout September

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, Oneida County will host a special two-day training event featuring national advocates Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia that will coincide with a series of awareness-raising activities.

The training sessions, titled “Mental Illness Contact & Post-Incident Mental Health,” will be tailored to law enforcement members on Sept.18 and to first responders; mental health professionals and advocates; health and human services workers; community helpers; students majoring in criminal justice and/or behavioral health; and those involved in the mental health, behavioral health and substance use fields on Sept. 19.

Media are invited to attend the Sept. 19 session which will begin at 9 a.m. with a welcome from County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. The event will take place in the Schafer Theater at Mohawk Valley Community College’s Utica Campus.

Briggs, a retired California Highway Patrol officer known as the “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge” for helping save more than 200 lives from suicide, and Berthia, a suicide survivor who was talked down from the bridge by Briggs in 2005, will share their powerful perspectives on suicide prevention, mental health and resilience.

“Suicide prevention requires compassion, understanding and strong community partnerships,” Picente said. “Hosting Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia provides a unique opportunity to learn from two voices who have lived this struggle firsthand and dedicated their lives to helping others.”

The training sessions are not open to the public and registration is now closed.

In addition to the Briggs and Berthia trainings, the Oneida County Department of Mental Health, is hosting a series of activities for County employees throughout September to promote awareness and encourage healing. These include:

• Dog therapy sessions with therapy animals and handlers.
• Relaxation and wellness activities, such as yoga and aromatherapy.
• An awareness walk around the County Office Building in Utica.
• A dress down day fundraiser to support prevention efforts.
• A community-wide event called “Chalk the Walk” on Sept. 24, in which messages of support for survivors of suicide are encouraged to be written on sidewalks throughout the county.
• The County Office Building and Parking Garage in downtown Utica have been lit up purple and teal, the colors of suicide prevention awareness.

“These activities are designed to engage employees and the community in showing support for survivors, breaking the stigma around mental health and reinforcing the message that help and hope are available,” said Mental Health Commissioner Ashlee Thompson.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and be connected with trained crisis counselors, available 24/7.

In addition, Oneida County residents can download the OC C.A.R.E.S. app, a free resource that connects users to local mental health, behavioral health and crisis services. The app provides quick access to support for individuals and families in need. It’s available here: https://apps.myocv.com/share/a132613501.