In response to the overwhelming interest in a Safe Talk demonstration held Aug. 2 in the city of Riverside, health officials have scheduled a free second suicide awareness and prevention training in Coachella Valley.

The event is planned from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the Desert Hot Springs Clinic/Vista Conference room, located at 14320 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs. It is being organized by Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Public Health, in partnership with RUHS—Behavioral Health.

“We were so pleased at the response we had at our first Safe Talk training. It was a packed house. So, we want to open up a second training to make sure that everyone who wanted to participate could,” said Rebecca Antillon, program coordinator with Public Health’s Injury Prevention Services program.

As part of the Injury Prevention team’s effort to offer resources, training and support, Antillon worked with parents, staff and students in July at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., to assist staff and students with training, support and access to resources in advance of the school year.

The suicide-prevention training is free and open to community members, teachers and those who serve youth and other at-risk populations. Seating is limited, so attendees are asked to pre-register. Please arrive at 12:30 p.m. for check-in.

To sign up for the Safe Talk event planned for Aug. 30, call 951-358-7171 or email Kimberly Jow, Health Services Assistant at KJow@rivcocha.org.

Meantime, save the following suicide prevention information and share it with friends and family.

  • 2 – 1 – 1 for referrals for health and social services
  • 24/7 HELP Line (951) 686 – 4357 to be connected with mental health resources
  • 24/7 Mental health urgent care locations

Riverside – 9990 County Farm Road, Suite 6, Riverside, CA 92503 (951) 509 – 2499

Perris – 85 Ramona Expressway, Suite 1-3, Perris, CA 92571 (951) 349 – 4195

Palm Springs – 2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A4, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (442) 268 – 7000

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273 – 8255, en Español (888) 628 – 9454
  • Send a text to 741741
  • Know the signs of suicide at www.suicideispreventable.org

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health encourages everyone to reach out to any friends, family and co-workers who may be having difficulty coping.  It’s important to know the signs, find the words and reach out.