Working to prevent suicides in Rathdrum, Spirit Lake schools

Heritage Health and Lakeland Joint School District announced they have partnered to provide Question, Persuade, Refer suicide prevention training to more than 700 district employees.

The goal is to save lives, said Lakeland Superintendent Becky Meyer, in a news release.

“Our district training stemmed from close-to-home events over the past few years where students, parents and former students have taken their own lives,” Meyer said. “I am so proud of the many community members willing to step up and help and without their support, bringing awareness to suicide prevention would not be possible.”

The QPR training is being delivered by Heritage Health’s Gina Prindle and Ron Prindle, who volunteers his time. Both are certified QPR trainers.

“The training removes some of the myths about suicide. It’s a myth that if you ask someone if they’re feeling suicidal, you will inadvertently plant the thought about committing suicide,” said Prindle, director of Heritage Health’s School-Based Health Center. “It’s absolutely not true. Either they’re thinking about suicide or they’re not. The question has to be asked.”

Everyone from bus drivers to crossing guards, teachers to custodial staff are receiving the two-hour training, Meyer said.

“The importance of every staff member taking part in the training is to enable the district to have a further reach because it is not only teachers that have daily interaction with students,” Meyer said.

Idaho continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in the country. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Idahoans age 15-34 and males age 10-14 – 46 percent higher than the national average.