Suicide prevention discussed at seminar

BONNERS FERRY — Community members, first responders, and law enforcement came together on July 12 to discuss suicide prevention. The seminar included recognizing and acknowledging the signs, both physical, circumstantial, and verbal, for those that may fear for the wellbeing of an acquaintance, friend, or family member.

The seminar was hosted by QPR for Suicide Prevention, which is a Spokane based institute. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, which are the first steps that people can learn in order to help someone battling suicidal thoughts.

People that think about themselves as a burden to their families were discussed alongside assisted suicide and how that may play a role in that type of decision and thought process. Also discussed was how medications may play a role in those thoughts as well as other reasons that someone may feel that way, such as drug or alcohol addiction.

Cris Rawlings, Foster Mayo, and Gini Woodward were the facilitators for the event, and led the audience in discussions about not only recognizing signs, such as key words, but how to assist someone in that kind of situation.

There was a slideshow presentation that showed the audience the various reasons why, how to recognize, and finally how to respond to someone who is having suicidal thoughts. In Idaho, the majority of people that have committed suicide were elderly, teenagers, and veterans. Knowing how to recognize the signs and how to seek help may help save a life.

There was a question from an audience member about people that threaten to commit suicide in order to obtain a goal or get what they want, but are not serious about following through. Acknowledging the difference may be impossible, and directing the individual to seek professional assistance to find the root of the problem may save their life.

“My husband works with Foster, and he invited my husband and I to come.” said Beatrice Stella, who had a family member of hers committed suicide. “It really affected the whole family, knowing she could do that to herself,” said Stella. “She used to threaten it to us all of the time, we thought she was just threatening.”

Showing someone that they are cared about is the number one way to help them through the rough part of the road called life. Hope assists in suicide prevention, giving someone the gift of hope may save a life.

For more information, visit boundarycountyid.org/press-release/press-release-suicide-prevention, qprinstitute.com, or rawlingscommunitycounseling.com. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or text CONNECT to 741-741.