SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — Shasta County officials are helping people recognize the warning signs of suicide.

On August 23, they held a safeTALK suicide prevention class on Market Street in downtown Redding. An instructor from Lotus Educational Services Inc., a Redding-based educational consulting agency, led the event, which the county hosts several times a year.

According to the Shasta County Health and Human Services Department (HHSA), guests were educated on the signs of suicidal thoughts and how to reach out to people who may be in a difficult situation and provide them with support.

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“Unfortunately, suicide rates are higher in Shasta County. So just being more aware of what to look for can really help identify these people and get them help before it becomes a crisis situation,” said Sydney Stinger, community education specialist with the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. “Plus, it can really affect anyone in your life… friends, family, coworkers. So if you can just keep an eye on them and connect them with help, that’s a very powerful thing.”

The free event was funded by the Mental Health Services Act and the California Department of Public Health and welcomes up to 30 community members ages 16 and older.

The district also organizes suicide prevention training for professionals such as doctors and psychotherapists as well as school counselors. There will be another safeTALK training course in early 2025.

For more information about the training, visit the You Matter Shasta website here.