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To Prevent Suicide, We Must Assume that
Everyone is Potentially at Risk
-Carolyn V. Coarsey, Ph.D.
“Before you can help prevent suicide you must first believe that
self-destruction lies within the reach of every human being; to
believe otherwise is to deny any hope of deterrence."
Founder & CEO, QPR Institute
Two suicides involving deliberate plane crashes prompted this week's QPR
Quick Quotes. In the first one, an airline employee stole an aircraft and
crashed it, after flying around for the better part of an hour. Headlines in
the local newspaper read, “A Complete Shock: Family Remembers a Wasilla
Man Involved in SeaTac Plane Crash." A Facebook page set up by high
school friends carried accounts of what a popular man he was and
conveyed the same disbelief that this tragedy involved the man they knew.
A few days later, a Utah man crashed a plane into his home just hours
after he was released from jail for assaulting his wife. His 17-year-old
son told the newspaper his father had not given clues about what he
planned on doing. Like the first example, the actions leading to suicide
were totally unseen in advance – at least as reported at the time of this
writing.
In many cases where death by suicide occurs, family members are aware
of challenges in a person's life but often cannot believe that the person
would ever reach the point where they would end their life over their
suffering. In the online QPR Gatekeeper’s Train-the-Trainer course, a
research study is reviewed that is relevant to the point that those who
know the suicide victim best, often chose to ignore signs
Forty persons were admitted to hospitals for suicide attempts and 70 of
the significant others were interviewed by researchers. Of the 40 people
who attempted suicide, 37 had communicated their intent to attempt
suicide and escalated their communications as the crisis worsened.
Significant others were interviewed twice. In the interviews conducted in
the hospital, they were completely surprised by the attempt. However,
after the crisis had cooled, when re-interviewed, 31 of 37, “Saw it coming.”
In other words, after the attempt, they acknowledged that they saw
warning signs.
Likewise, it is often only after a “psychological autopsy” is conducted that
investigators learn through interviews with friends, colleagues, and family
members that, indeed, suicide warning signs were in evidence before the
tragedy. The confirmation and descriptions of these warning signs only
emerge much later in the press. Without training, oblique or indirect,
warning signs are often missed by those in a position to identify, clarify,
and intervene.
"Suicidal communications in which a clear threat of suicide is not
present are often referred to as “clues” to suicide or “coded”
threats. As such, they often require interpretation or clarification.
The “Question” part of QPR asks for clarification of any statement,
act, note or distress signal that triggers alarm and concern in a
potential gatekeeper."
-Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.,
Founder & CEO, QPR Institute
At least in news reports thus far, neither of the men who died in the
suicides involving aircraft crashes made clear suicide threats. This leaves
us to wonder if the men gave coded messages or threats that family,
friends, and co-workers were unable to recognize. QPR Gatekeepers are
trained to recognize and respond to direct threats of suicide, as well as
coded messages and how to question boldly and act with purpose in
saving the life of the one we believe to be at risk.
Since neither of these men was diagnosed as suffering from mental illness,
it is possible to assume that they were among the many who became
overwhelmed by life's challenges and saw no hope for a future. It is also
possible to believe that someone knew about their mounting distress and
their growing sense of hopelessness.
Training family members, friends, and co-workers to recognize direct and
coded messages, warning signs, and risk factors, is essential for saving
lives. It is also crucial to train these same people on what to do when they
see someone in a growing crisis. QPR Gatekeeper Training is available to
everyone and is affordable to all. Growing research and personal stories
from those who are trained Gatekeepers shows clearly that lives are
being saved.
_______________________________________________________________________
If you are interested in learning more about how to become a Gatekeeper
and becoming part of a more extensive network that is dedicated to
suicide prevention, see www.qprinstitute.com. To learn more about the
training classes offered by the Family Assistance Foundation and for
information about upcoming Gatekeeper classes and how you can
become a trainer within your workplace go to fafonline.org. You can also
contact Stephen Young at stephen.young@aviem.com.
Upcoming Gatekeeper Trainings
Atlanta Gatekeeper Training
Courtyard Atlanta Airport North, September 27, 2018
Atlanta Train-the-Trainer
Courtyard Atlanta Airport North, September 27, 2018
Hong Kong Gatekeeper Training
January 2019
Hong Kong Train-the-Trainer
January 2019
QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer and is a research-based
intervention that anyone can learn. The Foundation works with the QPR
Institute to customize this successful intervention for cruise lines,
aviation companies, human resources professionals and other workplace
groups. Please contact stephen.young@aviem.com at the Foundation if you
would like to know more about how you can learn to be a QPR Gatekeeper
in your organization. You can also learn how you can become a certified trainer
of the QPR Gatekeeper model. Contact the Foundation to discuss your
interests.
© 2018 QPR Institute Inc./Family Assistance Education & Research Foundation
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