Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
As part of North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding, HPC is working to strengthen suicide prevention skills within the North Dakota workforce. Programs are free to workplaces and individuals meeting eligibility criteria described below. Those not meeting free eligibility criteria may join for a fee (details outlined on each registration page).
This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $256,219.00 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the US Government
Why workplace suicide prevention?
Integrating suicide prevention strategies into workplaces is a critical community-based strategy for well-being and an important piece of the US national strategy for suicide prevention (US DHHS, 2024).
Learn more about why workplace suicide prevention matters and about how we are addressing this through our project in North Dakota.
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Mental health concerns cost the US economy an estimated $477.5 billion and are projected to exceed $1.3 trillion annually by 2040 (Trilliant Health, 2026). In the US, the economic cost specifically related to suicide and non-suicidal self-injury is an average of $510 billion annually, and working-aged adults account for nearly 75% of the annual economic cost of suicide (Peterson et al., 2024).
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Many workplaces do not incorporate mental health focused initiatives into their employee standard health and safety programming, and there is a call for this to improve in North Dakota (NDSFRC, 2026).
Workforce gatekeeper training not only improves suicide prevention skills of workforce members but can be a key facilitator to adoption of suicide prevention strategies within workplace settings.
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Our team has experience securing, administering, and overseeing grant, government, and corporate contracts for our services.
We are available for prime and subcontracting opportunities consistent with our core offerings. For those in the private sector, visit our Government Contracting page for more information.
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Research clearly suggests that professionals having quality suicide prevention training grounded in evidence is key to reducing death by suicide in our communities (Cramer et al., 2024; Wakai et al., 2020).
Unfortunately, most workforces (including behavioral health professionals) are not trained in suicide prevention.
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Our team of experts is available for mentorship, supervision, and consultation in the following areas:
Sport and performance psychology (mentorship, consultation)
Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) mentorship
Emotionally Focused Therapy (supervision, mentorship, consultation)
Project Components
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Outreach
Community connection and engagement is an important part of suicide prevention, especially in rural and Tribal areas.
We are attending key outreach events and are engaging with interest holders throughout our project via meetings, webinars, and material distribution (flyers, etc.). Click here to view our outreach calendar, and click here to schedule an outreach meeting with us to bring our programming to those you serve.
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Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians
Professionals in this industry are likely to interact with individuals at-risk for suicide due to their role in dispensing medication. The pharmacy profession also has higher rates of death by suicide than the general population.
We provide suicide prevention gatekeeper training (QPR Certification courses) to industry members, and they are also a targeted discipline for our continuing education courses focused on suicide prevention. Click here for courses.
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Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Pets can be a protective factor for suicide, which means their loss is impactful for individuals at-risk for suicide. Pet medical and behavioral challenges can also be isolating for owners. Veterinary medicine also has high rates of death by suicide.
We provide suicide prevention gatekeeper training (QPR Certification courses) to industry members, and they are also a targeted discipline for our continuing education courses focused on suicide prevention. Click here for courses.
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Construction & Mining Industry Members
The construction and mining industries have two of the highest rates of death by suicide in the US. It is important to include industry members, family, and friends in programming within these industries, given the important role that relationships play in suicide prevention.
We provide suicide gatekeeper training (VitalCog in Construction and AFSP’s Talk Saves Lives: Construction) and gatekeeper instructor (T4T) training throughout these industries for a robust approach to suicide prevention.
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General Workforce Members & Leaders
Many workplaces do not incorporate mental health initiatives into their employee health and safety programming, and there is a call for this to improve in North Dakota. This can be particularly impactful in rural and Tribal areas.
We provide suicide prevention gatekeeper training (VitalCog in the Workplace) and gatekeeper instructor (T4T) focused specifically on workplace factors. This training is beneficial for employees, managers, leaders, executives, and business owners across industries. Click here to contact us to schedule a course.
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Gatekeeper Instructor (T4T) Training
Workforce gatekeeper training improves suicide prevention skills of workforce members and is a key facilitator to adoption of suicide prevention strategies within the workplace. These courses are most impactful when led by industry members.
We provide Gatekeeper Instructor (T4T) training for QPR, VitalCog in Construction, and VitalCog in the Workplace. These are targeted toward those who have the interest and capacity to regularly teach gatekeeper certification courses within their workplaces and industries. Click here to share your interest about T4T courses.
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Continuing Education Courses
Client death by suicide can be a complicated experience for professionals. Unfortunately, many professional disciplines do not receive suicide prevention training. Click here for the various disciplines we are targeting (all are welcome).
Through 2026-27, we will add 10 continuing education courses focused on aspects of suicide prevention, such as anger, sleep, concussions/head injuries, substance use, anger, Tribal communities, upstream prevention, postvention, and crisis response planning. Click here for our CE course website.
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Relationship Retreat for Couples (ATAGF)
ATAGF, one of our suicide prevention partners, through their own RHTP funding is expanding their impactful relationship retreats to couples where at least one member is a rural or Tribal North Dakota resident! Couples experience meaningful change in just ONE WEEKEND at these retreats!
Visit their website (www.grandforkstherapy.com/hmt) to learn more and register for a retreat. You can also click here to connect with a project member to discuss bringing this retreat to your community or connecting those you serve to this work!
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Workshop for Families (Teens or Adult Children; ATAGF)
ATAGF is also expanding their work to families through the RHTP funding. They are offering in-person workshops for families with teens and a virtual workshop for families with adult children. They are also holding monthly support groups for anyone who attends one of their programs focused on couples or families.
Visit their website (www.grandforkstherapy.com/hmt) to learn more and register for a retreat. You can also click here to connect with a project member to discuss bringing this retreat to your community or connecting those you serve to this work!