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Would you give an hour to save a life?

September 10, 2007|Carolyn Burtner

Did you know that in the United States, one person completes suicide every 16 minutes; or that it is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States have been directly affected by suicide?Experts believe that most suicidal people don't want to die, they just want to end the pain they are experiencing. Experts also know that suicidal crises tend to be brief, so when suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.

Sept. 9-14 is National Suicide Prevention Week. The Clark County Health Department asks you to make yourself more aware of facts related to suicide and help us to promote suicide prevention and reduce the number of deaths by suicide.

Here are some facts about suicide in Kentucky:

- Kentucky's suicide rate was the 16th highest in the nation in 2004.

- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kentuckians 15 to 34 years of age.

- Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for 35 to 54 year olds.

- 73 percent of suicide deaths in Kentucky were caused by firearms.

- Nearly 600 Kentucky citizens are lost to suicide each year. Kentucky loses twice as many citizens to suicide as to homicide.

Suicide prevention is everybody's business because a life is too much to lose. You can make a difference.

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training - a program for suicide prevention - can teach you how to save the life of a student, friend, colleague, family member or neighbor. QPR teaches three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. With two to three hours of QPR training, you will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and be able to get the person help.

The Clark County Health Department is partnering with the city of Winchester and Clark County Courthouse to train all their employees in QPR. We would like to partner with other business or agencies. Please contact us if you have an interest in our program.

There will be a QPR training for the community at the Clark County Health Department at 400 Professional Ave. today from 6-9 p.m.

Suicide is permanent, but suicide is preventable. Join with the Clark County Health Department and many other agencies across America to promote awareness and reduce losses during National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 9-14.

For more information, contact Carolyn Burtner, certified QPR trainer, at the Clark County Health Department, 859-744-4482, or carolynm.burtner@ky.gov.

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