For 13 years, September 10 has been declared World Suicide Prevention day in cooperation with the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP.info).
The ManKind Project supports the efforts of the IASP and World Suicide Prevention Day. We care deeply about this issues of depression and suicide – and most of us have been directly impacted by this issue. And yet, talking about depression and suicide is something that men will often avoid even though;
- The highest risk group for suicide is white, educated men 45 and 60.
- 70 to 79% of completed suicides are men.
It’s time for conscious men to end the silence and support one another. The ManKind Project believes every man should have a place to go to be supported and encouraged on a path of personal development. We do this work knowing that each man is connected to families, communities, and institutions that are impacted by his actions and inactions. MKP stands for conscious, healthy, and purpose-driven men, because these are the men who will help heal some of our society’s deepest wounds.
ManKind Project trainings and peer support groups are NOT professional mental health care or a substitute for it. What we provide is peer support, and peer-reviewed research has shown that peer support is a highly effective tool for increasing mental health, decreasing depression, and reducing the risk of suicide. Participation in MKP trainings and support groups has been shown in peer reviewed studies to have significant positive impacts on men’s mental and emotional health.
Know the warning signs and symptoms of suicidal risk:
- Expressions of hopelessness (“what’s the use,” “maybe it’s not worth it,” “no one can help”)
- Depression (including poor or irregular sleep patterns, low energy, withdrawing from participation)
- Giving away prized possessions
- Talking about suicide
- Securing lethal means
- Know what to do if you see signs and symptoms:
- Ask if they are willing to get help
- Follow the QPR process: Question, Persuade, Refer. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions – is the person thinking about hurting themselves, do they have a plan, do they have a date/time in mind? Persuade them to hold off – delay action, make a no-harm agreement, and look for resources to have someone stay with the person.
- Know what resources are available locally and also know about the Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1.800.273.8255, a 24/7 facility. For more information see www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Be Prepared
- Take QPR training at www.qprinstitute.com
- Have the conversation with your family and friends before something happens.
- Download the free pdf version of the book The Forever Decision at http://www.qprinstitute.com/store, print it out, and have it in your I Group materials to give a man as part of the Persuade part of QPR.
World Suicide Prevention Day (https://www.iasp.info/wspd/) is an opportunity to raise our awareness about suicide and to train ourselves so that, if the unthinkable does happen, we don’t have to ask “is there anything else I could have done?”
DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE FLYER. Suicide Prevention flyer-MKP
