The State of Washington Hospital-treatment
The Ogden Highs
school freshman class, had just heard
about how, every 15 minutes in America someone kills him or herself and that In
Utah, suicide is the eighth most common cause of death. They had just been
taught that the way to ask someone if they are thinking about suicide is a
through a direct question, but when the time came to roll-play a situation in
which they were talking to someone who could be thinking about taking his or
her own life, the four members of the class had difficulty finding the words.
The question is always the hardest part. While difficult, the act of asking someone
directly if he is considering suicide is the most important way to prevent it.
Most people
who commit suicide do not want to kill themselves. They want the pain to go away.
One person’s clear mind could offer hope to someone in that desperate situation.
This is called QPR, Which stands for, Question, Persuade and Refer. This a free
nationwide course intentionally named to sound much like “CPR” because the
technique it teaches is designed to offer a way for surrounding the suicidal
person to be with the first responders to the emergency.
The 90-minute course is designed to
give the basics that can save a life and then get those who receive the training
to think about ways they can be prepared when they discover someone is contemplating ending their life. The people
who are most likely to prevent suicide are the average, everyday people’s we’re
not talking about preventing the root cause. We are talking about immediate
intervention.
Training includes watching videos produced by
Paul Quintet, developer of the course. Participants also discuss a slideshow
that outlines some of the warning signs to suicide and ways to or through the
steps of questioning persuading and referring. Before the questioning can
begin, observers need to pick up on clues that the person is suicidal. These
ideas also are outlined in a booklet that goes along with the course.
There
are a host of warning signs that range from direct verbal clues, such as when a
person directly states that they want to kill themselves, to indirect statements,
such as “You won’t have to worry about me any longer.”
Behavioral clues include
putting affairs in order, relapsing into drug or alcohol use, changing behaviors
and giving away personal possession.
Situational clues
could include diagnosis of a terminal illness, sudden rejection by a loved one,
death of a spouse, child or close friend especially by suicide, and a sudden, unexpected
loss of freedom.
Those asking the question may do so when they overcome
fears of doing so. Research has repeatedly shown that once a person has been
asked if they are thinking of suicide, they feel relief, not distress.
Persuading them to the get help starts with listening.
Listening is the greatest gift one human can give another. Listening takes
time, patience, courage, but is always right.
When
it comes to referring a person to a professional for help, going with or
calling with the person is most effective as long as your life is not in danger.
Sign up for a class today. Help someone live.
To be continued soon….
DR. KARL
WALLACE D.D.S.
To read more go to:
w.w.w.karlwallaceblog.blogspot.com
