The Southeast Utah Health Department HOPE Squad, along with Helper Fire Department are hosting a Mental Health & Music on Main Event on Thursday, August 10 at 6:00 pm inside the Rio Theatre in Helper. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Community Health Suicide Prevention Specialist, Amanda McIntosh to get all the fun details.

“What we really wanted to do was bring together all of the resources that we have collaboratively in Carbon County and just put them on display. Each and every one of these great partners have amazing events coming up that are so good for the community as a whole – for recovery, for mental health, and for suicide awareness. So we thought what better way to put those on display then to hold an event where they can talk about their upcoming events,” stated McIntosh. Those scheduled to make an appearance are Four Corners Community Behavioral Health, C.A.R.E. Coalition, The Helper Clinic Carbon Medical Service, Castleview Hospital, USARA, Life Balance Recovery and USU Extension.

There will be music, resources, free hors d’oeuvres from Craftee Designs, and drinks can be purchased from The Coyotes Well Mobile Coffee Shop. “Anybody that comes out is going to be entered into a drawing if they stay for the Suicide Prevention portion of the evening which will start at 7:00 pm. We will do the QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer. With that training you recognize suicidal warnings signs, you question someone’s suicidal thoughts, persuade someone to live, and who and to when to refer them to local resources and so this training is super important for everybody in the community to have,” said McIntosh. The QPR training is a valuable tool to have much like CPR or Heimlich Maneuver, both of which have saved many lives.

Event organizers are offering some exciting incentives to stay for the QPR. “Another great thing we’re offering to the community is for those that stay through the QPR training we have a drawing for prizes, some really big prizes. In fact, we are going to be drawing for a big screen tv, and a couple of gift baskets. Even Carbon Medical has chipped in with a great big, huge, paddleboard, and beach chairs and some cups. So I mean, there’s really great prizes to be had if people stay through the QPR training,” stated McIntosh. The event is free and open to the entire public.

To learn more about the HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties or to get in contact with Amanda McIntosh please visit their Facebook page.