A gatekeeper is commonly a person who has control of opening a gate – in this sense, as it pertains to suicide prevention, a gatekeeper can open the gate to information that may save a life.
Suicidal prevention gatekeepers can include anyone who is strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide – a parent, a sister or brother, aunt or uncle, spouse, coworker, a friend – anyone – you. A gatekeeper can be just anybody. Life matters – all lives matter.
NAMI Knox Licking County is a gatekeeper. We are a local charitable nonprofit whose mission is to advocate for, and to provide education and support for those individuals and their families in our communities who are challenged by a behavioral health condition or disorder such as anxiety, eating disorders and depression, and more.
Major depression is a mood disorder. Its symptoms can put individuals at risk for suicidal ideation and suicide. Over 264 million people, globally, suffer from some form of major depression. Suicide prevention is one of NAMI’s primary programs. Anyone can be at risk – some sort of tragedy or trauma, even the breakup of a relationship can cause suicidal ideation for some, or death. A change in a person’s response to everyday events could be of concern. KNOW THE SIGNS.
Preventing suicide involves everyone in the community – we are all “gatekeepers” in this pursuit. Everyone can learn the warning signs for suicide, how to respond, and where to get help.
Just like CPR, if we know QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) we may be able to save a life of someone we know and love.
A couple hours of your time may save the life of someone close to you. The week of Sept. 5 through 11 is National Suicide Prevention Week. Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. NAMI KLCO is partnering with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) (www.ohiospf.org) to offer a free QPR seminar on Sept. 10 at the Mount Vernon Police Dept. Training Room, 5 N. Gay St., Mount Vernon from 10 a.m. to noon. To prepare materials, registration is required. This free seminar will be presented by Austin Lucas, program director at OSPF. The seminar will provide the knowledge and skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal, confidence to talk to them about their thoughts, and connect them with professional care.
To register, email namiklcohio@embarqmail.com, or telephone NAMI at 740-397-3088 (provide name and contact info). Space is limited.
Submitted by Dodie Melvin, director
NAMI Knox Licking County Ohio
740-397-3088
