Outreach In The Heartland
The rate of suicide was dramatically increasing across our state of South Dakota. We ranked 7th nationally for suicide and Sioux Falls was facing the highest number of suicides in our history. At Helpline (formerly the Volunteer Information Center), we wanted to do more than answer crisis calls; we wanted to teach people how to prevent suicide. We knew the QPR program was the right tool and, to help us make a difference, several of our staff became certified QPR instructors in December of 1998.
We began our QPR program by holding an open forum on suicide in our community the evening before our certification training. Vickie Watson was the keynote speaker. We also had a panel of local experts representing mental health, schools and law enforcement. The media attention from this event triggered the initial requests for QPR. We followed up with a large mailing to social service agencies, churches, mental health providers, schools, health care facilities, prisons and businesses. WE have continued to work wit the media (e.g. during suicide prevention week and following a local murder/suicide) and with area providers (by sponsoring two professional trainings by the QPR Institute.) Through our outreach, we have encouraged people to become QPR gatekeepers to help themselves, their co-workers and their community.
The largest source of referrals for the QPR trainings, however, has been word of mouth. At every one of our presentations we let people know that we are available to speak to any group that is interested. Truly, the QPR program promotes itself once you let the community know it's available.
We are proud of the success of the QPR
program in Sioux Falls. During the first 15 months, we trained over 2,900
gatekeepers in our community and across the state. Our local suicide rate
has decreased from 22.4 to 18.3 per 100,000. Sioux Falls has embraced QPR
and we are making a difference!
Janet Kittams-Lalley
Helpline Center - Sioux Falls, S.D.
