In the Aug. 27 issue of the Butler Eagle, we learned some mixed news about the state of mental health in our county.

In 2022, the number of suicides in Butler County fell to 19, compared to 37 in 2021. That is excellent news, and different from the nationwide trend.

In the U.S., the suicide rate in 2022 was as high as it’s been since at least World War II. While Butler County saw a drop last year, that seems to have been an anomaly, as there have been 25 so far in 2023, matching the total from all of 2020.

These are concerning facts, especially as we start September, which is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Fortunately there is something we all can do to help.

County residents can get involved with groups that offer training and support. One such group, the Butler County Suicide Coalition, is going to host three trainings on the QPR method, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer.

Originally developed in the 1990s, the training was designed to mimic the idea of CPR — the abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is an emergency medical intervention, and it’s designed to keep a patient alive until they can get the help they need.

So too is QPR. It gives people the tools to recognize a possible crisis and to intervene to possibly save a life. So far, nearly 300 people in the county have taken the training.

According to the QPR Institute, which offers training in the method, participants learn about warning signs, including expressions of hopelessness, depression, giving away prized possessions, talking of suicide and securing lethal means. They also learn proven ways to talk to people in crisis.

It’s a very good that training like this is available, and even better that the three sessions in September will be free, though space is limited. We encourage those interested to register for the training now or sometime in the future.

It could save a life in the same way as learning basic first aid and CPR.

The first training session is 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at the North Trails Public Library; the second at 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at Butler County Human Services; and the third at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 at Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA. For more information or to register, call 724-284-5114.

— JK