BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; in 2021, 12.3 million adults thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan and 1.7 million attempted suicide.
To increase suicide prevention awareness, Battle Creek Morale, Welfare and Recreation Family Program Manager and Licensed Master Social Worker Lisa Grenon invited Scott Teichmer, a member of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calhoun County and Question, Persuade, Refer Institute master trainer, to the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services’ most recent Leadership Summit for a new type of training.
QPR Institute defines Question, Persuade and Refer as three simple steps that can help save a life from suicide. Individuals trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
With over a decade of experience in behavioral health, Teichmer, currently the Suicide Prevention Facilitator for Summit Pointe, led the QPR training where he shared his personal experience as a suicide attempt survivor.
“I’m grateful that I am able to do this training with you,” he said. “QPR is considered a gatekeeper training, meaning individuals trained in QPR are better able to identify those who may be at risk but know that means ‘I have to do something.’ I would classify it as a bystander intervention.”
After working with Teichmer on the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calhoun County, Grenon started planning a way to allow leaders and employees at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan, to receive the training.
“The thing that I love about Scott as a master trainer is he can really connect with people and people can hear from him and his own personal struggles with his suicide attempt, what he went through, and how he came out the other side,” Grenon said. “It’s so inspirational for people to hear his story and that there’s hope.”
Since introducing QPR training at the leadership summit, Grenon has organized 11 training events that resulted in 518 individuals trained in QPR and more importantly, these individuals are trained to assist colleagues, family members and strangers in emergency mental health situations.
“It is imperative DLA addresses suicide prevention and a way forward for leaders, supervisors, and employees to know what to do if or when they have someone suicidal on their team,” Grenon said. “If this training saves one life, it’s worth it.”
Grenon is planning fall training sessions for employees at HDIFC as well as expanding to DLA Disposition Services field sites.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with their mental health and needs assistance, please visit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or Veterans Crisis Line.