Suicide prevention training in IM
Article Photos
By THERESA PETERSON
Staff Writer
KINGSFORD - Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare Systems is offering Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training to help community members recognize the warning signs of suicide.
QPR is a nationally-recognized prevention program that teaches fundamental principles of prevention.
The training will be offered at Bay College West in September.
QPR emphasizes that identifying the warning signs of suicide and intervening early reduces the risk of death.
Mary VanHaute of Oshkosh, Wis., will conduct the QPR training. She is the executive director of Community for Hope of Greater Oshkosh, a nonprofit group focusing on suicide prevention.
VanHaute has been employed as a teacher and counselor for 25 years at Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay.
She earned a bachelor's degree in business education from UW-Eau Claire and a Master's Degree in adult education from UW-Stout.
She also completed an EdS. Degree in counseling from UW-Stout.
Suicide prevention and intervention are important to VanHaute.
"No amount of education or experience could have prepared me, though, for what happened the morning of May 20, 1994 - a beautiful spring morning when my brother made the choice to end his life," VanHaute said.
"Like many of you, I live with the never-ending questions and the ache in my heart," she said.
"Yet I continue to tell people that I am not ashamed of my brother. I am not proud of what he did, but I cannot be ashamed," she said. "I'd much rather speak about his life than his death, but I do talk about how he died with a two-fold message."
"First, to emphasize the depth and breadth of this national epidemic. How can we begin to solve a problem if we don't know the scope of the problem? And secondly, to stress to people that suicide is never a solution to any problem," she said.
VanHaute also volunteers with ministry at her church and is the support coordinator for the organization of Wisconsin Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).
The Wisconsin COPS assists families of police officers killed in the line of duty.
Anyone interested in QPR training can register by calling Bill Reid, prevention coordinator for Northpointe, at 779-0637 or email breid@nbhs.org.
"There is a level of interest in the program," said Reid.
"About 20 people have signed up already. I encourage the public to come to the training and learn about suicide. Our goal is to train 50 people in our area," said Reid.
The training sessions will be held at Bay West Campus in Fornetti Hall on Friday, Sept. 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A $3 donation at the door is asked to cover the cost of booklets.
Theresa Peterson's e-mail address is tpeterson@ironmountaindailynews.com.
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bingeeater
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08-19-09 11:44 PM
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they can have all the suicide prevention they want but if a person feels his life is not worth living any more chances are they do not look for the help they choose to take there life intstead.
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ICantBelieve
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08-19-09 10:21 PM
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V - I do not normally think your comments are cute or clever but I just sprayed my drink out of my nose!
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