Garrett Colglazier, COO of Sabetha Community Hospital, Karla Hermesch, MSW at NVCH, Julie Bergman, Rainbow Community Relations, Jennifer Ploeger, MHA, LBSW at Sabetha Community Hospital, and Kiley Floyd, CEO of NVCH

Rainbow has announced the applicant chosen for the Rainbow Community Grant. Nemaha Valley Community Hospital (NVCH) submitted the grant in collaboration with Health Innovation Network of Kansas (HINK). Other local HINK members include Amberwell Health in Atchison, Amberwell Health in Hiawatha, Amberwell Health in Doniphan County, Sabetha Community Hospital, and Holton Community Hospital. All these health care providers, along with other hospitals within the HINK network, will benefit from the $3,125 grant awarded by Rainbow. NVCH & HINK have worked for over a year to create the HINK Suicide Prevention Network (SPIN). This Network will identify individuals in the community to train in the Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) method of suicide prevention.   

In its grant application, Kiley Floyd, CEO of NVCH, says, “Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. If we can educate people to know and understand the warning signs of a suicide crisis, we can respond appropriately. Ultimately, this training will be used to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors, making a positive difference in our rural communities and possibly in the life of someone we know.”

In July of 2022, 10-digit dialing was implemented to accommodate the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. “Rainbow felt awarding this recipient was a great opportunity to bring even more awareness to the need for suicide prevention in our area,” says Julie Bergman, Community Relations Manager. “Suicide and other mental health issues affect many people in our communities, which is why Rainbow is proud to support the Health Innovation Network of Kansas’ work through the Suicide Prevention Network.”

The Rainbow Community Grant will be accepting applications starting in Spring 2023 and will award in December 2023. For more information please visit our website at: www.rainbowtel.net/community/grant-opportunities