QPR suicide prevention is a ‘proven system’

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10 to 34 year olds in the United States according to a 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control. Across all age groups it is the 10th leading cause of death.

The number of deaths by suicide in the U.S. has been climbing over the past 10 years with 11.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2009 and 14.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2018. This does not account for attempted suicides. The same study estimates 1.4 million adults made at least one suicide attempt in 2018.

Although statistics for 2019/2020 are not yet available, experts agree that the pandemic restrictions can increase the risk factors for suicidal thoughts and attempts.

“The emotional and psychological impacts of the pandemic can lead to feelings of hopelessness and thoughts about suicide,” according to a Mayo clinic website.

Anxiety, fear, frustration, sadness and loneliness may worsen until those feelings become “constant and overwhelming.” Those with existing mental health conditions are particularly at risk.

Crossroads Behavioral Health Services in Creston is taking steps to help curb that trend. A free seminar is being offered to the community either in person or via Zoom.

“With the coronavirus shutdown of the state and basically the country, we felt it was really important to provide anyone who wants to attend the trainings, we wanted to provide them a proven way to assess and help prevent suicide,” Crossroads Clinical Director Wes Starlin said. “There’s been an increase in substance use and mental health that maybe wouldn’t have come about if there hadn’t been such isolation.”

Starlin said providers have seen this locally at Crossroads as well as being a national trend.

QPR

Question, Persuade, Refer or QPR is the basis for the program that teaches how to recognize when someone is suicidal and what steps to take to help them.

“This program is a proven prevention suicide training,” Starlin said. “It really teaches you and reinforces how to ask the question if someone is feeling suicidal. ... It also teaches you and gives you pointers on how to persuade the person to stay alive.”

QPR is not intended to replace professional help, rather it teaches non-professionals how to guide those in crisis toward professional help. The QPR Institute compares the training to CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, which can help save lives in an emergency situation.

No specific skill set or education is needed to learn QPR. Crossroads does ask that participants be at least 14 years old.

Starlin said some of the cost of the free training is being covered by a CARES Act grant, but Crossroads is covering the remaining cost due to its commitment to mental health. In past years, Crossroads has offered trainings for which it was not reimbursed.

“It is very much an effort by Crossroads to decrease potential suicides,” Starlin said. “We’re doing everything we can to hopefully keep every individual safe in our communities.”

The one-hour training is available to the public in groups of four or more and can be scheduled to suit the needs of those interested in learning.

Contact Crossroads Behavioral Health Services at 641-782-8457 for more information.