In Thursday’s Butler Eagle, we learned more about a training we have previously praised for its efforts to prevent suicide.

The Butler Suicide Coalition hosted two training sessions last week on QPR — the abbreviation for the Question, Persuade, Refer method. Based on both the acronym and idea of CPR — short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation — the idea behind QPR is that simple interventions such as asking questions can save lives.

Josh Novak, dean of students at Butler County Community College, put the concept simply: “Embrace the awkward.”

It is never going to feel comfortable to ask someone whether they are contemplating suicide. But that doesn’t make it any less important or any less helpful.

And, as the facilitators pointed out at the training, despite some people’s concerns, bringing up the topic of suicide does help, rather than making things worse. If someone is contemplating suicide, they are likely to want to talk about what they’re going through.

It’s important to understand the possible signs, which is also covered in the training. Being aware of warning signs such as long-term depression; saying something that could be referencing ending their life; or even joking about the possibility, and be ready to embrace the awkward and ask questions.

The training also recognizes that people can help recognize the signs, but they often aren’t in a position to solve things. Instead, they can offer support and connect people in trouble with resources that can help them.

The most important resource available is the nationwide crisis line, 988. That number can connect people to local help 24 hours a day.

But the most important step is the first one. As Novak pointed out, problems don’t solve themselves.

“Whether it’s college students or senior citizens, the ability to talk openly about it, we’re empowering people to do that,” he said.

That is something we all can and should do.

— JK