“We do have an issue in this area with young people killing themselves and dying by suicide.”
Lindsay Hohertz is a clinical therapist at QC Councelor, and is certified in both Illinois and Iowa. Hohertz is passionate about bringing awareness to suicide prevention through QPR training.
Suicidal ideation may be more common than you think.
“Sitting around a table with co-workers, more than likely there’s probably several of those people who have had suicidal thoughts,” says Hohertz.
- Q stands for question.
“So that’s getting you more comfortable to ask the question directly: “Are you having suicidal thoughts?’.”
- P stands for persuade.
“I think people misinterpret it as its all on you to pursuade them to live. And I like to focus this part more on listening,” says Hohertz.
- R is the final step. It stands for referring someone to the appropriate resources.
Todd Noack from Life Connections has dedicated his work to ensuring people know where to take that next step.
“I stuggled. When I went to somebody and said I was struggling…they told me there was nothing out there,” says Noack. “So it’s been my mission for the past 16 years to let them know that there is something out there.”
Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention day, and the cause is observed throughout the month. Life Connections is hosting a ‘Peace Over Poison‘ mental health and substance abuse awareness event on Saturday, Sept. 13. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24 hours a day.