Everyone has the power to prevent suicide, WellSpan Community Heath Education Coordinator Jayne Miller told the Kiwanis Club of Gettysburg Adams County Monday, Feb. 13.
Sixty percent of people know someone who died by suicide, Miller said, and 20 percent will lose a family member by suicide. WellSpan provides several training sessions to help people navigate difficult conversations. When asked who knows someone who has experienced a hard time, all members of the Kiwanis Club raised their hand.
Miller confronted many myths surrounding suicide, including that discussing it will give people ideas.
“Having a conversation with someone will not plant a seed,” she said. “What it will do is offer them a lifeline.”
WellSpan’s trainings identify potential signs of suicide, Miller said, including depression, self-harm, personality change, isolation, and urgency to tie up loose ends. People often turn to suicide when they are grieving the loss of a loved one or experiencing relationship difficulties, she said.
“Take every sign seriously. Let that be your motivation to open up a discussion,” she said.
Miller added few people want to die by suicide and only choose to take their own life when they believe there are no other options.
“For most people, it is not wanting to die,” she said. “It’s not knowing how to live.”
Trainings to prevent suicide
WellSpan offers the following mental health trainings for members of the public:
- Mental Health First Aid – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., March 9 at Gettysburg Hospital
- Question Persuade Refer/Mental Health Awareness – noon to 4 p.m., May 11 at Gettysburg Hospital and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 7 at PA CareerLink, Gettysburg
- Trauma Informed Care 101 and 102 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., July 13 at PA CareerLink, Gettysburg and noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 9 at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital
Miller said Question Persuade Refer (QPR) is especially helpful for those seeking to prevent suicide.
“QPR is much like CPR – it is helping to save a life in an emergency situation,” she said.
Those who wish to attend the training sessions can register at www.wellspanphilhaven.org/Events or by contacting Healthy Adams County Administrative Assistant Jennifer Gastley at jgastley2@wellspan.org or 717-337-4137.
“There is not one person who won’t be at risk,” Miller said. “It’s not a cowardly person who moves in that direction, it’s a hurting person.”
Resources to prevent suicide
Miller suggested everyone store two numbers into their cell phones – 988 and 741741.
The 988 number is a suicide and crisis hotline anyone can call for themselves or a friend. It provides 24/7, free and confidential support, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals.
Miller said 988 is not intended for an emergency situation.
“If someone is suicidal and they bolt, call 911,” she said.
The 741741 number serves a similar purpose, but is a textline for those who prefer to communicate through messages.
Kiwanis
Kiwanis President Laura McMahon encourages anyone interested in professional networking, community service, and educational speakers such as Miller to join the organization. In 2022, Kiwanis Club of Gettysburg Adams County distributed $14,823.12 to 16 different local organizations in our community. Funds were raised through the club’s annual fundraisers, most notably its summer blueberry sale.
For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Gettysburg Adams County, contact McMahon at lmcmahon@uwadams.org.
Featured image caption: Kiwanis Club Gettysburg & Adams County President Laura McMahon, left, welcomes WellSpan Community Heath Education Coordinator Jayne Miller to the Kiwanis Club of Gettysburg Adams County meeting. (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)
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Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.