1. Question, Persuade, Refer
QPR
Question, Persuade, Refer
Allegan Community Mental Health
Substance Abuse Prevention Services
Sherrie Chase, B.S., CPS-M
Amy Embury, M.A. CPC-M

2. QPR QPR is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment.
QPR is intended to offer hope through positive action.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=HD9z0AuqzIs
WHY?

6. FACTS & STATISTICS
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 14.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 34.
One in five teenagers in the U.S. seriously considers suicide annually.
After cancer and heart disease, suicide accounts for more years of life lost than any other cause of death.

7. FACTS & STATISTICS
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all Americans.
Someone in the country dies by suicide every 12.9 minutes.
Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-bully victims.
Source:

8. NOT HERE… ALLEGAN COUNTY DATA
There were 17 deaths by suicide in Allegan County in 2015, 16 in 2014 and 6 in 2013.
During 2015, 11 out of the 17 suicides were by use of a firearm and 2 of the suicides were youth.
Over the last seven years, the highest count of suicides was among persons between the ages of 45 and 65, followed by persons between the ages of 25 and 44.

15. Myth and Facts ~No one can stop a suicide, it is inevitable (Myth)
~If a young person is in a crisis gets the help they need, they will probably never be suicidal again (Fact)
~Confronting a person about suicide will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide (Myth)
~Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication and lowers the risk of an impulsive act (Fact)
~Only expects can prevent suicide (Myth)

16. Myth and Facts
~Suicidal young people keep their plans to themselves (Myth)
~Most suicidal people communicate their intent sometime during the week preceding their attempt (Fact)
~Those who talk about suicide don’t do it (Myth)
~People who talk about suicide may try, or even complete, an act of self- destruction (Fact)
~Once a person decides to complete suicide, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them (Myth)
~Suicide is the most preventable kind of death, and almost any action may save a life (FACT!!)

20. Direct Verbal Clues: “I wish I were dead.”
“I’ve decided to kill myself.”
“I wish I were dead.”
“I am going to commit suicide.”
“I am going to end it all.”
“If (such and such) doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.”
“I am tired of life, I just can’t go on.”

21. Q QUESTION- Direct approach
“You look very sad, I wonder if you are thinking about suicide?”
“Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
If you cannot ask the question, find someone who can!

22. Q QUESTION Less Direct Approach: “Have you been unhappy lately?”
“Have you been very unhappy lately?”
“Have you been so unhappy that you are thinking about ending your life?”
“Do you ever wish you could go to sleep and never wake up?”
“Are you thinking everyone would be better off without you?”

23. TIPS FOR ASKING THE SUICIDE QUESTION
If in doubt, don’t wait, ask the question
If the person is reluctant, be persistent
Talk to the person alone in a private setting
Allow the person to talk freely
Give yourself plenty of time
Remember, how you ask the question is less important than that you ask it!

25. DO: BE YOURSELF, LET THE PERSON KNOW YOU CARE LISTEN
BE NON-JUDGEMENTAL
OFFER HOPE
ASK THE QUESTION, YOU ARE NOT PUTTING THE IDEA IN THEIR HEAD, YOU ARE SHOWING YOU ARE CONCERNED

26. DON’T: ARGUE WITH THE SUICIDAL PERSON
AVOID SAYING THINGS LIKE, “YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR, “YOU WILL HURT YOUR FAMILY.”
PROMISE CONFIDENTIALITY
OFFER WAYS TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS
BLAME YOURSELF
LEAVE THE PERSON ALONE!

27. P PERSUADE Then Ask: “Will you go with me to get help?”
“Will you let me help you get help?”
“Will you promise me not to kill yourself until we have found some help?”
Your willingness to listen and to help can rekindle hope and make all the difference!

28. R REFER
Suicidal people often believe they cannot be helped, so you may have to do more.
The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.
The next best referral is getting a commitment from them to accept help, then making the arrangement to get that help.

29. Where to go for help