Suicide Prevention Program Offered By Howell Alliance

HOWELL, NJ — The Howell Alliance is offering a free virtual suicide prevention training program as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The QPR suicide prevention training is set for Monday, May 20, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and then use the question, persuade, and refer strategies to assist someone with getting help.

Those interested must register online ahead of the virtual training event.

Many behavioral health experts warn that America is facing a youth mental health crisis. The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 2011-2021 reports that, in 2021:

• 42 percent of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that stopped them from doing their usual activities
• 22 percent of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide
• 18 percent of high school students made a suicide plan
• 10 percent of high school students attempted suicide one or more times

You can read more of the CDC's comprehensive Youth Risk Behavior Survey here.

In addition, here are resources for anyone struggling or in crisis:

2NDFLOOR (888-222-2228) is a confidential, anonymous, 24/7 call/text helpline for NJ's youth and young adults ages 10 to 24. 2NDFLOOR's trained counselors are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help youth find solutions to the problems they face at home, at school, or at play.

The counselors are standing by to provide supportive listening, information and referrals for behavioral health services, and options to help youth address their concerns. Learn more about 2NDFLOOR's helpline, as well as information on cyberbullying, dating abuse, mental health, and sex/sexuality on their website https://www.2ndfloor.org/.

The Crisis Text Line has crisis counselors available 24/7 and provides free mental health texting service for confidential crisis intervention. Just TEXT "HOME" TO 741741 to get started, or visit the Crisis Text Line's website for more information on mental health conditions and support resources: https://www.crisistextline.org/.

Mental Health Awareness Month aims to eliminate mental health stigma, provide those in need with connection to mental health support resources, promote mental health education and advocacy, and call attention to the importance of helping individuals and families affected by mental illness so they can achieve well-being and acceptance.

The Howell Alliance’s “Substance Use/Mental Health Support Services” web page
(http://www.twp.howell.nj.us/540/Substance-UseMental-Health-Support-Servi) provides a
comprehensive list of substance use/mental health support resources and local crisis interventions. The website also has a link to “Monmouth County Is Stigma-Free” on its home page.

For more information, contact the Howell Alliance at 732-938-4500 ext. 4012, or
criddle@twp.howell.nj.us.

Note: An earlier version of this article said the training is hosted by the Howell PAL. The Howell Alliance is separate from the Howell PAL. Patch regrets the error.