SAVING LIVES
Pam Boatright, Coordinator
System Safety, Health, and Environment
Resource Center - OSRHE
(405) 225-9458
pboatright@osrhe.edu
DID YOU KNOW?
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death
in Oklahoma of youth ages 10 to 24.
• The highest number of attempts and
completed suicides occur in the Spring.
• An estimated 1,100 college students die
by suicide annually – an average of three
a day.
• Male students (18-24) are more than
twice as likely as female students to die
by suicide due to use of more lethal
methods.
• More females attempt than males, but
typically use less lethal methods.
THOSE THAT FACE HIGHER RISK
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Commuter students
Older students
LGBT students
International students
Students with pre-existing mental health conditions
or who develop mental health problems during the
college years
• Students currently receiving treatment
• Veterans
Some populations may have less adequate services available
to them or may not be aware such services exist.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
A comprehensive approach to suicide prevention is
recommended by the US Surgeon General, such as:
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Screening to identify high-risk students
Training for campus mental health services staff
Crisis management
Education programs to train gatekeepers on the signs
and what to do if someone is considering suicide
Social marketing to encourage help-seeking behavior
Social networking to encourage socialization
Coping skills development
Restriction of access to lethal means
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
OSRHE received a three year grant in 2012 from
ODMHSAS/SAMHSA for suicide prevention to:
• reduce the number of suicide
attempts among populations and
young adults,
• increase help-seeking behavior
among adolescents, and
• support the implementation of
training and screening services.
GRANT REQUIREMENTS
• Train campus trainers in the QPR Method, which
includes learning the early warning signs and what to
say and do to prevent suicide. The trainer’s
certification is good for 3 years.
• Support and assist trainers as they conduct a minimum
of 4 “gatekeeper training” sessions to college faculty,
staff, students, campus law enforcement and others for
the next 2 years on their campus.
• Promote the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
• Offer technical assistance for development of campus
referral protocols, to distribute educational resources,
to encourage campus suicide be included in crisis
management plans, and to promote collaboration with
local community mental health resources.
THE QPR PROGRAM
(Question, Persuade, Refer)
• QPR is recognized by the Suicide Prevention
Resources Center (SPRC) in their Best Practices
Registry. (<www.sprc.org/bpr>)
• QPR is NOT a suicide risk-assessment training
program for mental health professionals only.
• It is a behavioral action plan for everyone to
achieve helpful dialogue and provide a
progressive, stepwise intervention.
• More information at <www.qprinstitute.org>
TRAINING OF TRAINERS (TOT)
• Two TOT sessions were offered;
May 23, 2012 and June 14, 2012 in
OKC and Tulsa.
• 39 trainers completed the TOT
covering 28 Oklahoma campuses.
Currently 36 trainers/25 campuses
• These trainers were required through
MOU’s to conduct a minimum of 2
trainings each year for the next 2
years.
• Training materials and student
booklets are included at no cost.
• Technical assistance from Pam
Boatright is available for each trainer.
TRAINING THUS FAR IN OKLAHOMA
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70+ gatekeeper trainings held
1,590 participants trained
19 college/universities have held training
28 trainers have conducted training at least 1
7 have not registered any classes yet
~ 2,000 training booklets have been distributed
QPR trainers Listserv created December 2012
From a Trainer
“The class did go really well. I have to say that I
am really enjoying these classes. It is such an
important and relevant topic. I think together
we can make a difference.”
Success Stories
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE GATEKEEPER TRAINING?
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Student Affairs Staff
Student Health Clinic Staff
Counseling Office Staff
Financial Aid Staff
Academic Advisors
Students
Student Leaders/Campus
Groups
• Native American Liaison
• Residential Advisors
• Faculty
• Environmental Health and
Safety Staff
• Campus Faith-based
Organizations
• Fraternities, Sororities
• Campus Law Enforcement
or Security
• Crisis Team Members
• Risk Managers
• Administrative Affairs
RESOURCES
In Oklahoma:
• Heartline Crisis Line (405) 848-2273
• Reach Out Hotline (405) 522-8100
• 2-1-1 (can provide info to county
crisis intervention centers)
Nationwide:
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK (8255)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• American Association of Suicidology <www.aas.org>
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention <www.asfp.org>
• Jason Foundation <www.jasonfoundation.com>
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center <www.sprc.org>
• The Trevor Project –
<www.project.org>
FREE WALLET CARDS, MAGNETS
AND POSTERS
• Learn the Warning Signs
• Having Trouble Coping?
• Magnets with National Lifeline phone and
website (800) 273-TALK
• Posters
• Assessing Suicide Risk: Initial Tips for
Counselors
Available from 1(877) SAMHSA-7
www.store.samhsa.gov/pages/help
Outreach
• Bids out for lanyards, bumper stickers,
and sport string backpacks
• Request to campus newspapers for an
article, logo
• Listserv
• 1 trainer kit left – application and
agreement are req’d (3/7/12)
Questions?
• Pam Boatright
• (405) 225-9458
• pboatright@osrhe.edu