Free Suicide Prevention Event at the University of Montana

The Overwatch Project, a national suicide prevention training organization, will host an event from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at the University of Montana University Center Theater.

KGVO News spoke to Strategic Communications Director Dave Kuntz about the Overwatch Project.

“Next week, the University of Montana is excited to invite the Overwatch Project to campus, which is a national suicide prevention training organization,” said Kuntz. “They're going to hold an event with us on Tuesday, April 12, at 5pm here on campus at the University's UC theatre. This is a unique group that really exercises some unique methods and training to help educate the public on how to prevent suicides in the community.”

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Kuntz pointed out the veterans’ organizations helping to sponsor the event and their purpose.

“This event is hosted in partnership with the U.S. Military and Veteran’s Service offices, as well as the Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation that I know folks are aware of,” he said. “This office really has two missions. The first is to work with the Montana National Guard, the different service branches of the military to recruit veterans and active duty military members to the University of Montana so they can exercise those education benefits they've earned.”

The title of the presentation is ‘Just F’ing Ask’, but Kuntz presented the subject matter more diplomatically.

“The Overwatch Project does take a unique and gritty tone,” he said. “They describe it as a blunt and in your face approach to educating the public about the suicide epidemic, especially in the veteran population. You know, I can't share the name of the lecture because I don't want Peter to get in trouble with his regulators, but for those who think that this event is going to be a passive PowerPoint presentation, they're wrong. The overall project is very famous for their interactive events and for really taking that blunt and in your face approach to making sure that folks are educated.”

Kuntz provided details on the event itself.

“The event is going to be April 12^th,” he said. “It's free to the public it's at the University of Montana's UC theatre there on the eastern side of our campus. Either folks can hop on to Overwatch project.org to get tickets in advance which again are free, or you can just grab the ticket at the door as you show up.”

While the Overwatch Project focuses on the military and veteran community, the training contains information for anyone to prevent a suicide. To learn more about the Overwatch Project, click here to see a short film about their recent Montana work.