WYOMING

Working together across Wyoming.

Wyomingites are tough, just like the lifestyle and environment in which they live. Yet the benefits of living in such a beautiful state come with challenges too, especially when it comes to suicide. Residents appreciate independence and self-reliance; some call it the cowboy culture. We are helping Wyomingites lean into their culture to help themselves when they’re in distress - and help each other, with a 50% reduction in suicides in Teton County. We have helped add one more reason for Wyoming residents to be proud of themselves. Now it is time to branch out, empowering other communities state-wide.


HELPING WYOMING

Proud of our heritage

The problem

Wyoming ranks among the top five U.S. states for suicide rates, double the national average. It is the seventh leading cause of death in Wyoming and the second for ages 10-44. Over 70% of these suicides involve firearms. Low population density, severe weather, and social factors significantly impact Wyoming's high suicide rates.

Our approach

In Teton County, we have partnered with diverse sectors for three years to implement the PROSPER method, engaging U.S. Park Rangers, medical and mental health providers, school counselors, teachers and first responders. This collaboration has empowered the community to openly discuss suicide prevention strategies, incorporating feedback from attempt survivors and state officials.

Our impact

We have initiated meaningful dialogues and united community partners around core values of being a good neighbor and supporting those in distress while leading to two policy summits. These gatherings involved various community leaders and trusted partners, focusing on strategic community interventions and policy enhancements for suicide risk management.

Our results 

In Teton County, our interventions have helped drive down suicides by 50% over two years. Our approach reduced suicide in federal law enforcement by 47%. Opening the right discussions about suicide has fostered more confident professionals, with 93% of our program participants gaining competence in PROSPER's key skills, and 92% feeling highly confident in these skills, significantly enhancing professional adherence to evidence-based practices.

OUR TEAM

We love what we do

Are you passionate about suicide prevention? There’s a role for everyone in this crucial mission. Learn how you can get involved, whether through volunteering, or simply spreading the word.

Events coming up

Check out what events we have going on.

Suicide Prevention Online Training

Suicide Prevention Training- Medical and Mental Health Providers, Clinicians, Religious Leaders and Crisis Staff.

Date/Time: January 14th, January 21st, January 28th, 2025 (REGISTRATION IS CLOSED)
(Tuesdays)

Location: Online

Who should attend:  This training is open to everyone, including educators, faith leaders, and other community members, not just medical and mental health professionals.

Suicide Prevention Online Training

Suicide Prevention Training- Medical and Mental Health Providers, Clinicians, Religious Leaders and Crisis Staff. 

Date/Time: February 6th, February 13th, February 20th, 2025
(Thursdays) 12 pm-2 pm (Mountain Time)

Location: Online

Who should attend:  This training is open to everyone, including educators, faith leaders, and other community members, not just medical and mental health professionals.


Suicide Prevention Online Training

Suicide Prevention Training- Medical and Mental Health Providers, Clinicians, Religious Leaders and Crisis Staff.

Date/Time: May 5th, May 12th, May 19th, 2025
(Mondays
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm (Mountain Time)
Location: Online

Who should attend:  This training is open to everyone, including educators, faith leaders, and other community members, not just medical and mental health professionals.


Washakie County- Free Suicide Prevention Training
Medical and Mental Health Clinicians and Staff, and Crisis Staff

DATE: Wednesday March 5TH, 2025 
Time: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)
Location: TBD

DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find therapists are less willing to treat patients in crisis due to therapists’ self-identified lack of training and resources. Less than 50% of graduate training programs in mental health address suicide risk assessment. Resources for managing individuals with suicidal signs and symptoms are even more scarce. This eight-hour event includes didactics, discussion, video and skills practice. Learners will increase their competence, confidence and comfort managing suicidal patients. Attendees will advance their skills in contemporary evidence-based risk assessment, management and clinical decision making for people with suicide risk.

Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits). 


Washakie County- Free Suicide Prevention Training
First Responders, Educators, Faith Leaders, Business Supervisors and Owners, and Peer Support.


DATE: Wednesday March 5TH, 2025 
Time: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)
Location: TBD


DESCRIPTION:  Recent studies find that firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medicine teams, clergy, and educators, are increasingly being asked to assist individuals at risk for suicide. While these professionals attend basic training courses in this area, many still feel underprepared. First responders are trained to assess risk and threat and manage many other types of high-stakes situations. Educators are already skilled at having delicate conversations with parents and students. They deserve more tools for managing those in crisis. This eight-hour training includes didactics, discussion, video, and skills practice. Attendees will increase their competenceconfidence, and comfort in managing individuals at risk for suicide. Learners will advance their evidence-based risk assessment, management, and decision-making skills including helping themselves and their peers who may be at risk.


Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits). 


Natrona County- Free Suicide Prevention Training  
Medical and Mental Health Clinicians and Staff, and Crisis Staff.


DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2025
TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)
Location: Casper College, 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601.Thorson Business Building, Room BU218

DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find therapists are less willing to treat patients in crisis due to therapists’ self-identified lack of training and resources. Less than 50% of graduate training programs in mental health address suicide risk assessment. Resources for managing individuals with suicidal signs and symptoms are even more scarce. This eight-hour event includes didactics, discussion, video and skills practice. Learners will increase their competence, confidence and comfort managing suicidal patients. Attendees will advance their skills in contemporary evidence-based risk assessment, management and clinical decision making for people with suicide risk.

Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits). 


Natrona County- Free Suicide Prevention Training  
First Responders, Educators, Faith Leaders, Business Supervisors and Owners, and Peer Support.

DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH
 6TH, 2025
TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)
Location: Casper College, 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601. Thorson Business Building, Room BU217

DESCRIPTION:  Recent studies find that firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medicine teams, clergy, and educators, are increasingly being asked to assist individuals at risk for suicide. While these professionals attend basic training courses in this area, many still feel underprepared. First responders are trained to assess risk and threat and manage many other types of high-stakes situations. Educators are already skilled at having delicate conversations with parents and students. They deserve more tools for managing those in crisis. This eight-hour training includes didactics, discussion, video, and skills practice. Attendees will increase their competenceconfidence, and comfort in managing individuals at risk for suicide. Learners will advance their evidence-based risk assessment, management, and decision-making skills including helping themselves and their peers who may be at risk.



Sweetwater County- Free Suicide Prevention Training   
Medical and Mental Health Clinicians and Providers, Religious Leaders, Peer Support, Crisis Staff

DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14TH, 2025 
TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)
LOCATION: Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, 1200 College Dr., Rock Springs, WY 82901


DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find that firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medicine teams, clergy, and educators, are increasingly being asked to assist individuals at risk for suicide. While these professionals attend basic training courses in this area, many still feel underprepared. First responders are trained to assess risk and threat and manage many other types of high-stakes situations. Educators are already skilled at having delicate conversations with parents and students. They deserve more tools for managing those in crisis. This eight-hour training includes didactics, discussion, video, and skills practice. Attendees will increase their competenceconfidence, and comfort in managing individuals at risk for suicide. Learners will advance their evidence-based risk assessment, management, and decision-making skills including helping themselves and their peers who may be at risk.

Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits). 



Sweetwater County- Free Suicide Prevention Training   
First Responders, Educators, Faith Leaders, Peer Support, Business Owners and Supervisors

DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH, 2025
TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)

LOCATION: Western WY Community College, 2500 College Dr., Rock Springs, WY 82901

DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find that firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medicine teams, clergy, and educators, are increasingly being asked to assist individuals at risk for suicide. While these professionals attend basic training courses in this area, many still feel underprepared. First responders are trained to assess risk and threat and manage many other types of high-stakes situations. Educators are already skilled at having delicate conversations with parents and students. They deserve more tools for managing those in crisis. This eight-hour training includes didactics, discussion, video, and skills practice. Attendees will increase their competenceconfidence, and comfort in managing individuals at risk for suicide. Learners will advance their evidence-based risk assessment, management, and decision-making skills including helping themselves and their peers who may be at risk.



Sublette County- Free Suicide Prevention Training   

Medical and Mental Health Clinicians and Staff, Crisis Staff, First Responders, Educators, Faith Leaders, Peer Support, Business Owners and Supervisors

DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH, 2025

TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)

LOCATION: Marbleton Town Hall, 10700 US-189, Big Piney, WY 83113

DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find therapists are less willing to treat patients in crisis due to therapists’ self-identified lack of training and resources. Less than 50% of graduate training programs in mental health address suicide risk assessment. Resources for managing individuals with suicidal signs and symptoms are even more scarce. This eight-hour event includes didactics, discussion, video and skills practice. Learners will increase their competence, confidence and comfort managing suicidal patients. Attendees will advance their skills in contemporary evidence-based risk assessment, management and clinical decision making for people with suicide risk.


Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits). 




Sublette County- Free Suicide Prevention Training   

Medical and Mental Health Clinicians and Staff and Crisis Staff

DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16TH, 2025

TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)

LOCATION: Sublette School District #1, 665 N Tyler Pinedale, WY 82941 Pinedale Administration Building, Board Room, Enter at BOCES or Sub#1, Administration Building

DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find therapists are less willing to treat patients in crisis due to therapists’ self-identified lack of training and resources. Less than 50% of graduate training programs in mental health address suicide risk assessment. Resources for managing individuals with suicidal signs and symptoms are even more scarce. This eight-hour event includes didactics, discussion, video and skills practice. Learners will increase their competence, confidence and comfort managing suicidal patients. Attendees will advance their skills in contemporary evidence-based risk assessment, management and clinical decision making for people with suicide risk.


Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits). 



Sublette County- Free Suicide Prevention Training   
First Responders, Educators, Faith Leaders, Peer Support, Business Owners and Supervisors


DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16TH, 2025

TIME: 8:30AM-4:30PM MT (lunch provided)

LOCATION: Lovatt Room Pinedale Library , 155 South Tyler Street, Pinedale, WY 82941. 

DESCRIPTION: Recent studies find that firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medicine teams, clergy, and educators, are increasingly being asked to assist individuals at risk for suicide. While these professionals attend basic training courses in this area, many still feel underprepared. First responders are trained to assess risk and threat and manage many other types of high-stakes situations. Educators are already skilled at having delicate conversations with parents and students. They deserve more tools for managing those in crisis. This eight-hour training includes didactics, discussion, video, and skills practice. Attendees will increase their competenceconfidence, and comfort in managing individuals at risk for suicide. Learners will advance their evidence-based risk assessment, management, and decision-making skills including helping themselves and their peers who may be at risk.

Continuing Education credits are offered for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and behavior analysts (6 credits).