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LEADING EDGE
Suicide has been called “a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” In
northern Idaho, several local agencies are combining efforts so people in
crisis can be offered a more positive solution.
comfort but offer tools to prevent
similar tragedies in the future.
A P R O V E N M O D E L
The QPR program teaches mem-
bers of a community to recognize
harming signs and take action to
prevent suicide. Created by clinical
psychologist Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.,
in 1995, the program trains people to
intervene when they become aware
that a friend, family member or as-
sociate is having thoughts of suicide.
Intervention includes questioning
the potentially suicidal individuals
about their intentions, persuading
them not to follow through on their
plans, and referring them to a pro-
fessional counselor to work through
their crises.
Modeled after CPR (cardio-
pulmonary resuscitation), QPR
(question, persuade and refer) aims
to train everyday people to provide
immediate intervention until the
person in trouble can receive pro-
fessional help.
“The personmost likely to prevent
a suicide is someone the troubled
person already knows,” Dr. Quinnett
said. “Those who are most at risk for
suicide are the least likely to ask for
help, so it is important to knowwhat
to do if you think someone may be
suicidal. That’s where QPR training
comes in.”
Dr. Quinnett haswritten four books
on suicide intervention, served on
the board of the American Associa-
tion of Suicidology, andwas a found-
ing board member of two national
suicide prevention organizations. In
addition to his work at the QPR In-
stitute, he currently serves as clinical
assistant professor in the department
of psychiatry and behavioral science
at the University of Washington
School of Medicine.
“We chose a research-based,
effective program that not only
creates a safety net of support
for our adolescents struggling with
mental illness but one that will offer
hope to everyone in our community,
many who are struggling with the
modern pressures of life,” said Ha-
zel Bauman, Coeur d’Alene School
District Superintendent. “Suicide
prevention goes beyond our school
walls; it is a communitywide is-
sue. We know we are providing the
tools to help save a life each time
another communitymember is made
aware of the issue and educated to
take action.”
C O M M U N I T Y L I N K A G E S
Even with the resources available
through the school district and Koo-
tenai, to make a communitywide
impact, more was still needed. Com-
munity Linkages is a local group
with representatives from a variety
of community agencies. All repre-
sentatives are committed to some
aspect of community health. When
the group heard the scope of the
problem, they immediately voiced
their support for the QPR program.
Since that time, the group has
heard updates on what is being
done to lay the groundwork for
further development of QPR in our
community. This work has included
extensive staff and student training
in the school district and infor-
mational sessions for community
mental health professionals as well
as physicians. Community Linkages
members are eager to build on this
foundation to develop the program
in ways that will serve their own
patients, clients and the community.
“Suicide prevention is a prob-
l em ou r c ommun i t y i s j u s t
beginning to address collectively,”
Farr said. “There are many important
groups who have been doing work
on this issue for years. We are con-
fident that as we begin working
together and community members
gain the tools to personally in-
tervene in a crisis, we can make a
real impact.”
F O R M O R E
For more information on
QPR, visit
QPRInstitute.com
.
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H E A L T H
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