FirstLink 9th ANNUAL BREAKFAST CALL 2-1-1 for HELP

Real stories of relatives and friends affected by the devastation of suicide were highlighted as FirstLink hosted its 9th annual breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, one person dies by suicide in North Dakota every 71 hours, the leading cause of death in people age 35–44 in the state. During the program, Jenny Neset told her story of finding out her twin sister had committed suicide. “Jenny you need to come home,” her father said on the telephone. After coming home, being in shock and trying to cope with the pain, she reached out. “The first thing I did was go to FirstLink,” says Neset. “I wanted to know what I could learn, what I could do.”

FirstLink is leading the way in help, support and prevention with their 24/7 2-1-1 helpline. FirstLink has answered thousands of calls assisting our neighbors in the most vulnerable moments of their life. FirstLink now has a follow-up phone call program. In the first 24–48 hours, outpatients who are at a higher risk for relapse are called by a team member. This service has saved and served countless lives already, as the unsung heroes at FirstLink make a difference answering and making phone calls in our community.

Speakers at the event included Dr. Madelyn Gould, professor of epidemiology in psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center; Jeff Herman, CEO of Prairie St. Johns; and Alison Trainer, ND Suicide Prevention Program Director.

You can help make a difference by donating to FirstLink so that this incredible service can continue to serve our community’s friends, family and neighbors in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. In addition to providing resources, as well as listening and support, FirstLink offers a variety of suicide education and intervention trainings.

Call FirstLink anytime by dialing 2-1-1 or 701-235-7335, or visit myfirstlink.org for more information.

summer!

How enjoyable is this time for us and for our pets. But it can be a not so enjoyable time if we do not have a prevention mindset. There is a lot of information online from very questionable sources, including tips and even homemade medication for pets. The Internet can be a great source of information, but it is also a major source of misinformation. My advice is to question any information found on social media. Make sure you are reading information from a reputable veterinary organization or veterinary professional.

To keep your pets healthy this summer, you also need a lot of common sense. Always contact your veterinarian’s office if you have questions or concerns.