Marshfield Clinic offers free suicide prevention training across Wisconsin

A series of free community suicide prevention trainings will be offered across Wisconsin with special focus on supporting farmers, first responders, military personnel and veterans.

The events are part of a community outreach initiative organized by the Marshfield Clinic Veterans Care Coordinator (VetCoor) and the Marshfield Clinic Military & Veterans Employee Resource Group, in collaboration with the AgriSafe Network, Inc. These live, in-person sessions are designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and equip participants with practical tools to prevent suicide in rural communities.

The target audience for the offered trainings include healthcare providers, veteran service organizations, clergy, police and fire departments, emergency and first responders, coaches and educators, and all community members who want to be better prepared to save a life.

“These trainings can empower any of us – friends, neighbors, coworkers, clergy and parishioners, farmers, veterans – to recognize warning signs, start tough conversations and connect those in crisis to help,” said Bryan Weichelt, Ph.D., research scientist and past chair of Marshfield Clinic’s Military & Veterans Employee Resource Group. “Suicide prevention starts with awareness, compassion, and community.”

The training courses are provided by Tara Haskins, Ph.D., and Linda Emanuel of AgriSafe Network's Total Farmer Health, with support from Marshfield Clinic.

To register for training, email vetcoor@marshfieldclinic.org or call 715-532-2329.

Evidence-based programs will be offered throughout the week:

QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer): A widely used training that teaches participants how to recognize warning signs of suicide, talk confidently with someone in crisis, and connect them to professional help. Includes a special veteran-focused curriculum adapted for rural communities.

CALM (Conversations on Access to Lethal Means): Ideal for general audiences and community groups, this session helps participants understand how to discuss firearm safety and other lethal means, recognize distress, and intervene effectively before or during a crisis.

CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means): a workshop format created for mental health clinicians, primary care providers, substance abuse counselors, and crisis intervention professionals. The workshop includes case studies, clinical video vignettes, safety planning basics and offers opportunities to practice clinical conversations.

Training will be held on the following dates:

March 23 – Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake, 1700 West Stout St.

11 a.m. – Question Persuade Refer (QPR)

Noon – CALM Conversations (lunch included for those registered)

1:30 p.m. – QPR

2:30 p.m. – CALM Conversations

March 24 – Marshfield Medical Center-Minocqua, 9576 Highway 70

9 a.m. – QPR

10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – CALM Counseling (open to healthcare providers)

Lunch served around noon

3 p.m. – CALM Conversations

March 25 in Auburndale at Elementary School Auditorium, 10564 School St.

8:30-9:15am – check-in and networking – coffee and pastries provided

9:15 a.m. – QPR

10:30 a.m. – CALM Conversations

March 25 in Marshfield at Rembs Celebration Center, 250 S. Oak Ave.

1 p.m. – QPR

2 p.m. – CALM Conversations

March 26 – Marshfield Medical Center, Marshfield, 1000 N. Oak Ave., (across the street at Froehlke Auditorium inside the Laird Center for Medical Research)

9 a.m. – QPR

10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – CALM Counseling (open to healthcare providers)

Lunch served around noon

3 p.m. – CALM Conversations

March 27 – Wausau at Elks Lodge, 414 Scott St.

8:30 a.m. – QPR

9:30 a.m. – CALM Conversations

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.