VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The International Association of Suicide Prevention encourages all of us to take time to reach out to someone who maybe having suicidal thoughts.

Tristen Ross is a board member with the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

He said the awareness event held Sunday, October 8th in Valley City raised $14,500, shattering their goal of $10,000. Proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

City County Health District Administrator Theresa Will said, “Tristan Ross has been working hard in our area, offering training, attending community events and behavioral health meetings. He recently became an Adult Mental Health First Aid trainer and will be available to bring that to our community as well.”

The City County Health District also offers Mental Health First Aid classes to individuals and organizations working to prevent suicide by calling 845-8518.