Suicide prevention class helps prevent tragedy
Kris Jennings
Issue date: 12/2/09 Section: News
A suicide prevention class took place Nov. 18 at the Presbyterian Church in Edmond, Okla. to give people the opportunity to help save lives.
Rev. Mitchell Miller, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, said he opened the doors of the church because he felt this class was an excellent opportunity for people to learn about suicide prevention.
"With the holidays near I just feel that people should be aware of and know how to react if someone is suicidal," Miller said.
Bervis D. Littles, a patrol officer for the Edmond Police Department, was the instructor of the class. He told the class that suicide prevention breakdowns into three major components: question, persuade, and refer (QPR). QPR is designed to help people recognize and respond positively to someone exhibiting suicidal warnings signs and behaviors.
Littles stressed that the best way to prevent suicide is just ask the question "are you suicidal?"
"Be straight forward and ask the question, and get a direct answer," Littles said.
According to Littles, signs that a person is contemplating suicide are they show a lack of interest in activities they normally enjoy, have anger issues, and isolate themselves. A recent breakup, disappointment or rejection can also cause a person to contemplate suicide, according to Littles.
Little also says that depression increases the risk for suicide, whether it's depression from academics, social life or even work performance. Littles says depression is both biological and psychological in nature and is the number one cause of suicidal behavior. Wishing to be dead is a frequent symptom of untreated depression, Littles says.
Littles says when someone is applying QPR to a person there are some guidelines they should take. Plan a time and place to ask the question and try to get the person alone or in some private setting. When a person is applying QPR they should allow themselves plenty of time to work and have a lot of patience and an open mind.
"In one situation I dealt with a suicidal person and believe it or not it took up my whole shift. My captain didn't understand it but it was something that had to be done," Littles said.
According to Littles, the leading cause of death in Oklahoma is suicide, and Oklahoma has the fourteenth highest ranking for suicide in the United States. According to College Students Survey Findings, suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. college students because of stress, finals and being homesick.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, or online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Rev. Mitchell Miller, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, said he opened the doors of the church because he felt this class was an excellent opportunity for people to learn about suicide prevention.
"With the holidays near I just feel that people should be aware of and know how to react if someone is suicidal," Miller said.
Bervis D. Littles, a patrol officer for the Edmond Police Department, was the instructor of the class. He told the class that suicide prevention breakdowns into three major components: question, persuade, and refer (QPR). QPR is designed to help people recognize and respond positively to someone exhibiting suicidal warnings signs and behaviors.
Littles stressed that the best way to prevent suicide is just ask the question "are you suicidal?"
"Be straight forward and ask the question, and get a direct answer," Littles said.
According to Littles, signs that a person is contemplating suicide are they show a lack of interest in activities they normally enjoy, have anger issues, and isolate themselves. A recent breakup, disappointment or rejection can also cause a person to contemplate suicide, according to Littles.
Little also says that depression increases the risk for suicide, whether it's depression from academics, social life or even work performance. Littles says depression is both biological and psychological in nature and is the number one cause of suicidal behavior. Wishing to be dead is a frequent symptom of untreated depression, Littles says.
Littles says when someone is applying QPR to a person there are some guidelines they should take. Plan a time and place to ask the question and try to get the person alone or in some private setting. When a person is applying QPR they should allow themselves plenty of time to work and have a lot of patience and an open mind.
"In one situation I dealt with a suicidal person and believe it or not it took up my whole shift. My captain didn't understand it but it was something that had to be done," Littles said.
According to Littles, the leading cause of death in Oklahoma is suicide, and Oklahoma has the fourteenth highest ranking for suicide in the United States. According to College Students Survey Findings, suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. college students because of stress, finals and being homesick.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, or online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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