The Veterans Coalition of Northwest Montana gave a training on suicide prevention during the Kalispell City Council’s work session on Monday evening.

The presenters went over an intervention tactic known as QPR, for Question, Persuade and Refer. They compared the training to CPR for mental-health crises.

“All you’re doing is keeping them alive until professional help comes and you can turn them over,” explained Mike Stone. “That’s what this whole thing is about. Keeping someone alive until they can be handed over to first responders or certified clinicians.”

QPR protocol starts with asking a question, such as “are you feeling unhappy lately?” or “do you ever feel like you want to sleep and never wake up?”

The trainers, who have given their presentation to 488 people, urged QPR practitioners to ask direct questions when they feel comfortable doing so.

A video they used in their presentation dispelled the myth that asking about suicidal thoughts plants those ideas in a person’s head.

“You cannot put the idea of suicide into someone’s mind,” the video stated. “People are either thinking about suicide or they’re not. The fear of putting the idea of suicide into someone’s head is a myth, a myth that keeps us from acting when we should do just the opposite.”

“The worst question you can ask is no question,” added trainer L.D. Gross.

The second step in the QPR process is persuasion, but it can also be thought of as persistence, Stone explained.

In this stage, a bystander should try to persuade a suicidal person to commit to getting help and putting off destructive plans.

Sometimes, Stone said, it takes multiple people and various efforts to effectively persuade a person.

Finally, an intervention should lead to a referral. The best kind of referral, the trainers said, is taking someone directly to a professional who can provide specialized assistance.

Short of that, a referral should try to lay a concrete path for a person to access help.

“Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, is a good outcome,” the presentation stated.

The presenters warned that October, November and December were a time when the state saw a spike in suicides last year.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.

If someone is in immediate danger

• Do not leave the person alone

• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt

• Call 911

• Take the person to an emergency room, or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Warning signs

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself

• Looking for a way to kill oneself

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

• Displaying extreme mood swings

Source: www.mentalhealth.gov

Hope and healing after suicide

Experiencing intense emotions after someone takes his, her or their life is normal. Here are some suggestions provided by Tamarack Grief Resource Center.

• Create spaces to release emotion. It is OK to scream, sob, hit a pillow, or sing at the top of your lungs.

• Prep responses for potential guests. “Thank you. I just need some alone time now.” “Today is rough. Could you spend some time with me?”

• Take three deep breaths. Slowly.

• Surround yourself with people who give you strength. Allow yourself to take space from those who don’t.

• Consider what places, sounds, smells, or views bring you bits of comfort. Seek them out.

• Identify one thing you know you can accomplish. Do it.

• Drink a glass of water. Go for a short walk.

• Think of specific ways people can help. “I’d like the lawn mowed on Thursday.” “I’d appreciate fresh food for dinner.” “It would be great if you could walk the dog tomorrow.”

• Often people have a lot of questions. Prepare how you can respond. “My loved one died by suicide.” “My loved one lived with depression for years.”

• If you feel overwhelmed by images, guilt, or hopelessness, it may help to seek the support of a trauma professional.