Suicide remains the second leading cause of death in America today. In a seminar for students, faculty and staff of Mesa College, Hector Martinez, a representative of Mental Health America, presented a tool that helps to prevent suicide and direct a suicidal individual toward help. QPR, which stands for question, persuade, refer, is a method of suicide prevention that involves straightforward questions, positive and open conversation, and helpful guidance.

The seminar, which took place on April 22, 2014, had an audience of about 25 people and lasted approximately an hour. It was intended to initiate a dialogue about suicide by offering eye-opening information to the audience. By extinguishing the idea that suicide should not be talked about, people will start to ask the right questions.

“At these seminars we are teaching students to identify peers at risk for depression and suicide. We teach people how to ask questions, how to persuade someone to get help and then how to refer them to help,” says Mesa Student Health Services Director, Suzanne Khambata.

Martinez began the presentation by explaining how he first got involved with suicide prevention. After witnessing the fall of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, he realized that he suffered from anxiety and PTSD. Encouraged by the help that Mental Health America offered him, he began to volunteer with them and has now been working with them for five years as an outreach coordinator, going out in the community to talk to people about anxiety, mental health, depression and suicide.

According to Martinez, everyday, at least one person dies from suicide and seven find themselves in the hospital or emergency room due to incomplete suicides. Contrary to popular belief, he says, suicide is entirely preventable and is an issue that is “everyone’s business.”

“Try something, rather than nothing. You’re going to be the one to stabilize the situation until the professionals arrive,” he said, encouraging students to quickly get involved in a situation involving a possible suicide.

Furthermore, he explained that in states such as Alaska, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, suicide rates are highest. In states such as California, Georgia, New York and New Jersey, suicide rates are among the lowest. This fact makes it clear that population, human connection to be specific, can significantly lower the chance of suicide and cause someone with suicidal thoughts to reconsider their decision.

Next, Martinez focused on some warning signs that might indicate suicidal thoughts. Even jokes, he says, need to be taken seriously. Some behavioral clues that Martinez informed the audience on are previously attempted suicide, acquiring guns or pills, co-occurring depression and moodiness, sudden happiness, giving away prized possessions, sudden interest or disinterest in religion, and unexplained anger.  While these red flags are not always obvious, it is important to know what subtle cues might indicate a suicidal thought or plan.

“Obviously, they might not come out and say it directly. But, they might say ‘I don’t want to be around,’ ‘I just want out,’ ‘I’m tired of life,’ or ‘I just can’t go on,” says Martinez.

The presentation concluded after a short QPR Adolescent Role-play, during which one student acted as a suicidal teen and the other acted as a sports coach who was offering guidance. This simulation gave the audience the opportunity to practice QPR and gain a better understanding of how to handle a similar situation. According to both Martinez and Khambata, it is extremely important to be equipped with the proper tools to know how and when to identify and approach an individual who might be giving off suicidal warning signs.

“Suicidal ideation is a symptom of depression and it can be fatal.  Not wanting to live is a symptom of depression.  It needs to be emergently treated.  People think about or imagine completing suicide before they actually do it.  We need to find people at the imagine stage, not the final stage,” Khambata implores, reinforcing the fact that everyone has a responsibility to actively work toward decreasing the rate of suicide.

In conclusion, the seminar provided some resources for individuals who might be contemplating suicide or dealing with friends or family members who might be. A student or faculty member can visit the Health Center to speak with a staff member or can call the mental health crisis line at 888-724-7240. For local suicide prevention resources, visit www.up2sd.org or dial 211.