Matt Ferguson, a chaplain and retired federal agent, led a community suicide-prevention training that he framed as "CPR for suicide," urging attendees to learn a brief crisis response plan and to ask directly when they notice warning signs. "Think of it as CPR for suicide," Ferguson said, arguing the plan is practical for non-clinicians and can reduce risk when followed.

Ferguson opened by describing the limits of referral-only approaches and cited large-scale figures to underscore the problem: "12,800,000 people have thought about suicide; 1,500,000 attempted suicide; 49,000 died by suicide," he said, noting those are clinical counts and arguing community action is required. He emphasized ambivalence — that people can both want to live and want to die — and said that asking plainly is crucial: "Have you been thinking of killing yourself or ending your life?" he instructed, adding that asking does not increase risk and that listening is central to helping.

The training walked participants through a short, three-part intervention: identify warning signs (changes in hygiene, withdrawal, new access to lethal means, or explicit online posts); ask the direct question and listen nonjudgmentally; and work with the person to build a crisis response plan that includes self-management strategies, reasons for living and social supports. Ferguson told attendees that simple listening and showing concern can be half the intervention: "That's like 50% of the solution," he said of noticing and asking.

Ferguson also discussed lethal-means management with emphasis on firearms, saying a majority of local suicides involve guns and proposing temporary, voluntary steps to delay access — disassembling firearms, separating ammunition, or arranging trusted off-site storage or a changed combination. "We don't have to change things they enjoy," he said; "we're just talking about delaying it." He urged practical, person-led plans rather than coercive removal except where formal assessments indicate imminent danger.

On escalation, Ferguson identified 988 (the suicide and crisis lifeline) and local emergency or hospital options as next steps when self-help and supports are insufficient; he said the group would call 988 as a demonstration. He closed by pointing participants to PROSPER materials and podcasts for additional training and encouraged attendees to sign a short survey for certificates and follow-up classes.

Ferguson attributed several effectiveness figures to the training curriculum (for example, asserting the crisis response plan reduces suicide risk substantially when used), and he said much of the guidance is drawn from survivors' experiences and scientific studies. The presenter did not cite specific peer-reviewed studies in-session; the large numeric statistics and percentage reductions were given verbally by Ferguson as part of his presentation rather than as documented references. The training included a brief practice exercise so attendees could rehearse direct asking and listening.

The session concluded with handouts and an invitation to longer workshops; Ferguson offered to remain afterward for questions and to distribute materials. Next procedural steps he announced were a follow-up training later the same evening and links to PROSPER resources and the 988 lifeline for immediate assistance.