Suicide prevention push planned

By CANDACE CHASE

The Daily Inter Lake

The Youth Service Network and Flathead City-County Health Department have received a $30,000 grant to address this area's high percentage of youths at risk for suicide.

"It's critical that suicidal thinking and behavior among our youth be addressed," said Joan Schmidt, director of the Youth Service Network.

According to Schmidt, a risk behavior survey showed that more than 26 percent of Flathead County youth feel sad or hopeless, 16 percent have made suicide plans and more than 22 percent have attempted suicide.

This grant targets young people ages 10 to 24.

"We have the second-highest rate of suicide for that age group in the U.S.," she said.

Schmidt said this grant follows a mini grant received last year that trained more than 45 people in a suicide prevention technique called QPR: question, persuade and refer.

Schmidt compared the lives saved from suicide by this technique to those saved by CPR during a physical crisis. It assists in decoding signs and symptoms of depression and suicidal thinking.

"The QPR training is appropriate for all ages and groups," she said.

Schmidt said the Youth Service Network collaborated with the health department to receive a new grant to extend and enhance this and similar suicide prevention activities over the next three years.

The money will pay for Schmidt's coordinator position, formation of a suicide prevention coalition, a strategic suicide prevention plan, a system of care training, a speaker's bureau for QPR, training and resource materials.

People interested in participating in these activities may call Schmidt at 871-1008. She encourages people to attend an organizational meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21 in the conference room of the health department at 1035 First Ave. West in Kalispell.

Schmidt will provide an overview of the grant and discuss the goals, which include choosing an effective tool to identify students experiencing depression.

She said Great Falls schools use a 10-minute assessment that students take in their health unit. If the assessment shows a suicide risk, a counselor speaks to the student and parents for permission to refer the young person to a therapist.

Schmidt said that national scientific studies have shown this process works.

"It would be completely voluntary," she said. "We'll need the students' and parents' permission."

Western Montana Mental Health Center provides such therapy as well as private counselors. Schmidt said Montana has financial resources such as the child health-insurance program as well as a special fund for people with mental-health issues.

Plans also include approaching school districts about adopting suicide prevention activities and developing a policy to respond to student needs if a suicide occurs.

Schmidt said the coalition will research the feasibility of a peer counseling program at the high school or college level.

She said experts say that the high youth suicide rate ties into a poor attitude in the western states, particularly the Rocky Mountain corridor, about going for help with mental health issues.

It's not acceptable in the Western culture that celebrates independence and strength, Schmidt said.

She and others concerned about Montana's high suicide rate hope to change that attitude. She said people need to look at suicide as a preventable health issue.

"Intervention is effective," Schmidt said. "People who have attempted suicide and survived do want to live when they have hope and support."

Flathead County was chosen as one of 12 sites statewide to receive a portion of the $400,000 awarded to Montana for suicide prevention by the U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service Administration.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com