By: Parhis Howard, Director, The Compass Center, United Way of Hall County
If you or someone you know is struggling and contemplating suicide, call a friend, family member, teacher, doctor, or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by dialing 988.
Every September, communities come together for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is a time to highlight the importance of connection, awareness, and action in addressing one of the most pressing public health issues of our time. Suicide touches every community, every age group, and every background. Yet hope and prevention are possible when people are equipped with the right tools and reminded of the power of reaching out.
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)
Just as CPR teaches people to respond to a physical health emergency, QPR equips community members to respond to a mental health crisis. The process is simple:
- Question directly and compassionately if someone is considering suicide.
- Persuade them to choose life and accept help.
- Refer them to appropriate resources for ongoing support.
These steps may seem small, but they can be the difference between despair and hope, isolation and connection, life and death.
In Hall County, QPR is offered as a free training to individuals and groups who wish to become more comfortable with asking difficult questions around suicide and who desire to know the resources in the community where a friend or loved one experiencing a mental health crisis may go for more assistance. In a training that takes less than two hours, attendees can learn information that can save a life. If your organization or business would like more information about scheduling a training, email Adam Raulerson, Manager, Behavioral Health Community and Inpatient at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, or call him at 770-219-5618 (office) 678-491-9912 (mobile). Visit our QPR page to learn more.
Supporting the Most Vulnerable
While suicide can affect anyone, some groups face greater risk. Youth and teens navigating digital pressures, seniors experiencing isolation, veterans carrying trauma, and individuals facing housing or job insecurity often encounter heightened vulnerability. Ensuring that these populations receive extra care and attention can be a powerful step in prevention.
While not everyone exhibits the same symptoms when struggling with their mental health, there are some common signs that people can look out for if they are worried about friends or loved ones. If you know someone who is in a vulnerable group and who is showing signs of suicidal thoughts, resources are available to help. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you or someone you know is in immediate crisis. If you are looking for resources to help with less emergent mental health needs, you can contact the NAMI HelpLine to find out what services and supports are available in your community. Headway is another great resource that provides names of counselors in your area who are taking new clients and are covered by insurance. And, if you don’t know where to start, reach out to a friend, family member, teacher, or trusted person in your life.
Building a Culture of Care
Suicide prevention is not only about crisis response, it is also about fostering a culture where mental health is valued and conversations about struggles are normalized. When communities adopt a mindset of compassion, check in on one another, and openly share resources, fewer people are left to face despair alone.
Every person has the ability to play a role. Starting with a simple question, “Are you okay?”, can open the door to life saving conversations. Small actions, taken consistently, create a community where hope is always within reach.
Suicide is preventable. By learning to ask, listen, and connect, communities can build stronger safety nets for their most vulnerable members. Together, the message is clear: hope is always possible, and no one should face their pain alone.