Many of us will notice changes in people around us and get the feeling that “something is not right”. You may not want to say anything for fear of making the situation worse or because you don’t know what to say if they confirm your concerns. While these conversations can be very difficult and confronting, there is a lot you can do.
QPR Training is a Suicide Prevention Training that is offered through Rural Outreach Counselling (ROC) for FREE. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer and teaches 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
Though many people give warning signs, you may question whether to take a suicidal threat seriously or question whether you should ACT.
I’m worried, but I don’t know how to help
They only said it because they were so angry/sad/emotional at the time
They were only joking/assured me that they didn’t mean anything by it
They posted on social media, so I’m sure other people will help
I don’t know them well enough—if they meant it they would have told someone closer
They claim they never said it—I must have misinterpreted what they meant
They are just upset about this crisis (job loss, breakup, etc.). Once it passes, they’ll be fine
They said it to manipulate me/get back at me
They’ve threatened before, but have never gone through with it
They only said it because they were drunk*
*Evidence suggests that 25% of people who die by suicide misuse or are dependent on alcohol/drugs. Furthermore, nearly 50% of people who take their own life have alcohol in their system when they die. People who misuse alcohol and also suffer from depressive disorders are at an increased risk for suicide compared to people with major depression or alcoholism alone.