Image

September 16, 2014

 

Sarah Milner says everyone struggles with trying to help people with depression and suicidal thoughts.

So the Central Lambton Family Health Team will offer a SafeTALK Training program Sept. 24 to help.

Milner says two recent suicides in Sarnia-Lambton prompted health care providers in Petrolia to ask “what can we do?

“I would hear  about it just talking to people on the street ‘what can we do?,” says Milner who is the CLFHT interim executive director. “We’re all struggling; we’re all parents, we’re all friends…Depression difficulties will touch us all at sometime in our lives and at a community level we want to help. But it is a hard subject to talk about.”

So Milner contacted the Sarnia Lambton Suicide Prevention Committee which offers the SafeTALK program.

It will prepare people to respond to persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them with suicide prevention resources.  “The training asks how do you talk to them when they’re experiencing distressing thoughts?

“It shows people it’s okay to use the word suicide and be frank…it arms people with words and skills they can use in their day to day lives,” says Milner. And they’ll take home a manual to help in the future. That is being provided free courtesy of Debb Pitel of Bits ‘N Buckles in Petrolia who will hold a fundraiser to pay for the materials.

The training session will be held at the Oil Heritage District Community Centre, Petrolia on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 beginning at 6 PM.

Milner said, “The team has formed partnerships with organizations across the County in an effort to address the complex challenges rural Lambton is facing around suicide and mental health.  By bringing the community together for support it is our hope that we can heighten awareness of and identify those who may have thoughts of suicide.”

The SafeTALK Training program is open to anyone 15yrs and older.  To register call t the Central Lambton Family Health Team at 519-882-2552.

 

Share This

Image
Front Page

ATV accident claims 12 year-old’s life

July 9, 2025

The Independent A 12 year-old known for his kind heart and being a role model to others died in an ATV accident in Dresden. Chatham-Kent Police, Dresden firefighters and paramedics were called to a Dresden property just after 8 pm July 3 after three boys crashed. One was “injured and not responsive.” Police say officers on the scene, Kyle Merrit

Read More

Image
Front Page

Conservation authority voices water concerns at York1 site

July 8, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority says the aquifer which feeds private wells in the Dresden and Dawn-Euphemia areas is “highly vulnerable to any contamination” and it’s calling on the province to ensure there is water monitoring at the old Dresden dump. That from the authority’s submission to the Environmental Registry of Ontario in May. At the

Read More

Image
Front Page

$1M grant to upgrade Moore Sportsplex

July 8, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Another Lambton County municipality has cashed in on a new provincial fund to upgrade recreation facilities.  Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey announced Tuesday St. Clair Township would receive $1 million for repairs to the Moore Sports Complex. The money is coming from the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund. Officials from the sports complex, in a social media

Read More

Image
Front Page

Private paid Ipperwash parking OKed

July 8, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Lambton Shores council has approved plans for a private, paid parking lot in Ipperwash. The owners of the DeJong Grand Bend Clothing want to use their 50-spot parking lot to generate revenue. Lambton Shores planners didn’t recommend it saying there is parking in the area. Officials added the lot, which fronts onto the beach, is partly in

Read More