Just Ask “the Question.”
For the year 2015, The American Association of Suicidology listed the total” suicides completed in our nation was 44,193”. Those deaths “affected 147 per person”, totaling to an average of “6.5 million people” affected by the suicide of someone close to them. That is a staggering number when you consider that these numbers are not including those who have attempted.
So many times people who are confronted with a situation where they aren’t sure if a person is suicidal, they hold back from asking one simple but important question “Are you thinking of harming yourself?” The responses I have received over the years of QPR trainings range from “I don’t want to put the idea in their head”, to “I don’t think I could ask that because I don’t know what I will do with the answer”.
According to Paul Quinnett, 2013, QPR Institute, recognizing the early signs are important. “We cannot overemphasize the need for early recognition of suicide warning signs. A well-executed, strong and positive response to the early warning signs of a pending suicide event may render subsequent links in the Chain of Survival unnecessary. Most people thinking about suicide are suffering from an undiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness or substance abuse disorder for which excellent treatments exist. The prompt recognition of the scream of a smoke detector can eliminate the need to suppress a raging fire. In just that way, by recognizing early the warning signs of suicide, opening a supporting dialogue with a suicidal person and securing consultation a professional may prevent the need for an emergency room visit or psychiatric hospitalization.”
How can you help? Consider participating in a short 2 hour training that will walk you through the QPR process, give you a platform to ask questions and an opportunity to develop comfort by having time to practice “Asking the Question” with others.
Contact Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids to learn more today, call 616-200-4433 to see how we can help.
