VitalCog

VitalCog is an interactive course that helps you understand your role in suicide prevention.

We provide 4 specialized VitalCog courses : Athletics Staff, Student-Athletes, Construction, and for the Workplace. Each specialized course has content geared toward that specific topic area. You’ll learn to build protective factors and safety nets, identify risk factors and warning signs, and practice conversations around suicide.

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VitalCog Suicide Prevention Courses

Upon successful completion of any VitalCog course, participants are certified VitalCog gatekeepers for 2 years

Courses are offered virtually or in-person (fees apply for in-person courses outside of Grand Forks, ND). Each course is 60 to 120 minutes long depending upon the module chosen (see below for length and fees for each course).

We can also add Postvention information (ideal for organizations who want to develop a plan of action to implement after a crisis) and Substance Use information (coming soon).

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Specialized VitalCog Courses

  • Two construction workers, one older and one younger, wearing hard hats and safety vests, working together at a roadside construction site with green fields in the background. They are examining blueprints or plans near a metal post.

    VitalCog for Construction

    This program is designed to help construction workplaces appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about workplace mental health changes. The program builds a business case for suicide prevention while promoting help-seeking and help-giving. 

    Courses are $500 (up to 30 people per course).

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  • Woman running up a hill as the sun is setting on the water. Text reads VitalCog. Suicide prevention for student-athletes. Contact Erin Haugen to learn more. bit.ly/vitalcog

    VitalCog for Student-Athletes

    This program is designed to help student-athletes appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue, critical thinking about mental health challenges in sport, and promoting help-seeking and help-giving. We offer courses for student-athlete groups, organizations, and teams (ages 18+).

    Courses are $750 (up to 30 people per course).

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  • Cover page of a document titled 'Vital Cog' with the subtitle 'suicide prevention in the workplace', featuring a photo of a tidy desk with an open laptop, coffee cup, and office supplies, along with logos of Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center and Haugen Performance Consulting.

    VitalCog for the Workplace

    This program is designed to help workplaces appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about workplace mental health changes. The program builds a case for suicide prevention in business and corporate settings while promoting help-seeking and help-giving. 

    Courses are $750 (up to 30 people per course).

    Request a Course
  • Cover page of a publication titled 'VitalCog' focusing on suicide prevention for athletic staff. It features a man in sports attire at an outdoor stadium, with sunlight behind him. Logos for Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center and Haugen Performance Consulting are at the bottom.

    VitalCog for Athletics Staff

    This program is designed to help athletic staff appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue, critical thinking about mental health challenges among student-athletes, and ways to promote help-seeking and help-giving in sport. Continuing education credits may be available.

    Courses are $750 (up to 30 people per course).

    Request a Course

VitalCog Train-the-Trainer (T4T) Certification Program

In this full day training, participants learn skills, tools, and knowledge to facilitate the training within their own organization. This training includes learning more about statistics and facts about suicide, which includes the impact on individuals, families, and communities. Participants practice facilitation and learn from other trainers on best practices in delivering the program.

This program is led by Dr. Erin Haugen. Courses, pricing, and additional information coming soon (will likely begin in fall/winter 2026).

Request a Course for Your Organization

FAQs

  • Yes! These courses can be given entirely online, so you can complete them from the comfort of your own home or within your work environment.

  • Yes! We are happy to provide in-person instruction for no additional fee in the Grand Forks, ND area. Outside of that area, additional charges apply. Contact us to discuss details!

  • Unfortunately, no. The courses are highly interactive. We also want to create and maintain safety for participants. Therefore, we cannot record the instructor-led portion for later viewing.

    We do have a number of on-demand courses related to mental health that you are welcome to purchase.

  • Unfortunately, no. These courses are designed for adult participants only (ages 18+).

  • Yes, we offer CE credits for specific courses offered to medical and mental health professionals. Each registration page will indicate if it is offered for CE credits. We partner with ATAGF for our CE courses, and they are an approved CE provider for the BOC, NDBSWE, and NDBACE.

Additional Courses

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Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Most frequently taught suicide gatekeeper training in the world. 60-120 minute course. 1-year certification. Instructor training (T4T) also available.

Learn more
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Mental Health First Aid

8-hour course where you learn about how to respond to crisis and non-crisis mental health situations. 3-year certification. Adult, Youth, and specialty courses.

Learn more
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Education & Training Courses

We offer a range of training and continuing education courses for a wide range of disciplines on clinical and non-clinical topics topics.

Learn more