Although Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month has passed, the importance of the topic has not. As a part of their crusade to combat the suicide epidemic, the Southeastern Utah Health Department has scheduled Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainings in Huntington and Grand. To discuss the training, Castle Country Radio was joined by Suicide Prevention Specialist Amanda McIntosh to learn more about QPR and its importance.

Opening our conversation, McIntosh reflected on Suicide Prevention and Awareness month,” We were busy. Almost every week we had something going on. We hosted a couple of QPR training sessions for the community in Carbon County.” she continued,” And then we had our annual candlelight vigil at the Price Peace Gardens with a great attendance. And that was just an event to bring on some reverence to the loved ones that we’ve lost to suicide. And then we finished that up with our annual Hope Walk with the partnership of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.”

Speaking on the community support shown during the month, McIntosh stated,” I’m so thankful to the community for the support that they always show for that event, the sponsorships and donations that were made, but also the community that showed up and showed out for the loved ones lost to suicide … What can I say? I love this community and the amazing support it always shows us survivors and I can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Changing subjects, McIntosh set her sights on the SEUHD’s upcoming QPR training, with the first happening in Huntington on Wednesday, Nov. 6. “So QPR, again, stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. It is our evidence-based suicide prevention program that we look at the symptoms to look for when somebody is in a mental health crisis or having suicidal ideation.” McIntosh explained,” And so our first one is coming up on Nov. 6, and that will be taking place in Huntington, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Huntington City Hall.”

McIntosh also discussed the importance of becoming QPR trained,” Why do you have medical insurance? Just in case. Why do you have auto insurance? Just in case. The QPR has the same precedence. It’s a just in case training so that if ever you encounter somebody who is in crisis or is not acting like themselves, and you’re worried about their mental health, you are prepared to step in and help provide bridge services until you can connect them to other professionals in our town.”

She also delved into what participants should expect from this training,” they should expect an hour-and-a-half-long presentation of great information and statistics. And like I said, we look at those warning signs. So we take a look at the behavioral warning signs, the situational warning signs and the communication warning signs so that you have a full wraparound idea of what somebody in crisis could potentially look like. And so when people come, it’s a classroom style. We have conversations back and forth, and people can share their personal experiences.”

In addition to the potentially lifesaving information, attendees will also have the opportunity to walk away with a 52-inch gun case,” at the end, we hold a drawing for everybody in attendance so that they can walk away with not just this great knowledge, but some swag. This drawing will be for a couple of 52-inch hard gun cases which people can store their firearms in. At the Southeast Utah Health Department, we are not advocates for gun control, but we are advocates for gun safety. So if we can provide those restrictive means to our community members, the more likely it is that somebody can make it through their suicidal crisis.”

These events are free and open to the public, the first will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Huntington City Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. The second QPR training will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, again beginning at 6:30 p.m.

In closing, McIntosh left us with the following,” Just remember that there is hope. We love you. We are here for you. We can get you connected to resources, whether they be local, statewide, or even nationally.”

For more information on events happening with the SEUHD, you can visit their website or Facebook page.