What is working

"16 Minutes" has been on hiatus for a few months due to my involvement in other projects. With this post we begin again. I really appreciate the people who have followed this blog and hope you will continue to do and tell others

I begin with a question. Statistics in Tennessee indicate the suicide rate is rising. With drastic budget cuts in virtually every state ahead more and more people are going to be left out. What does suicide prevention look like in your area? What kind of programs, what kind of services are offered? In Tennessee, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is a primary source that helps to focus the statewide area in this area. One of the things they do is QPR training (question, persuade,refer) which is a form of suicide prevention training that seeks to equip ordinary people to deal with crisis situations with their loved ones. It seeks to give people a "mental health Heimlech manuever." Linda and I are both certified trainers and our experience is that it helps.

What is done in your area? This is an essential time to increase awareness of services. This is a great time for people to share ideas and experience. No one has to die. We need to become active in support of making sure as many mental health services are pared down that things stay in place that can save lives.

If you would like to share your experience, your ideas I would be pleased to share them with others if you would send them to me.

Someone dies every sixteen minutes. No one has to. Please stand and speak now.

And again thanks for participating in this blog.