MOUNT VERNON – National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 5-11, and there are two important events happening in Knox County to bring awareness.
On Friday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, the public is invited to attend a free 2-hour QPR Gatekeeper training session. QPR, an acronym for Question, Persuade and Refer, is a suicide-prevention program of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) and will be presented by Austin Lucas, program director, OSPF.
Just like CPR, if you know QPR, you could possibly save a life. QPR Gatekeeper training provides the knowledge and skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal, to talk to the person about suicidal thoughts and to connect that person with professional care.
“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business,” said Dodie Melvin, Director of NAMI Knox Licking County Ohio. “And everyone is a gatekeeper when it comes to preventing suicide.”
The QPR training program will take place at the Mount Vernon Police Department Training Room, 5 N. Gay Street. Registration is required by September 4 by calling the NAMI office at 740-397-3088 or emailing namiklcohio@embarqmail.com. Parking is available in the Police parking garage and close by in the community parking lot.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, at 9 a.m., all are invited to participate in a 5K run/walk at Ariel Foundation Park in Mount Vernon. Proceeds from this fundraiser provide education and support for individuals and families challenged by behavioral health or emotional disorders that often produce suicidal ideation or a tragic death.
On May 28, 2019, Knox County resident Anessa Hill lost her daughter, Taylor, to suicide. She was 25 years old, a mother of two little boys and a nurse, but her world became so dark that she could not find her way back to the light.
“I was asked to share my story,” said Anessa. “My first thought was, I am one of many who have suffered a similar loss, and no one has ever asked me for my story. It was always about my daughter. It took me awhile to realize that I am not alone. Those are very powerful words when you feel so alone buried in your grief.”
Anessa and her organization, Igniting a Spark to Prevent Suicide Inc., hope the upcoming 5K race/walk will raise awareness of suicide and financially support organizations and/or individuals who provide programming to assist those who may suffer from suicide ideation. To register for the 5K run/walk, go to https://tinyurl.com/yahyfszp.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the resources below:
Knox County Suicide Hotline Number
(800) 252-5554
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK or (800) SUICIDE
