Spotting suicide signs

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Wyoming youth, according to Keith Holte, Chronic Disease and Substance Abuse Prevention Unit chief with the Wyoming Department of Health.

“Unfortunately, Wyoming has a serious suicide problem,” Holte said in a press release from the Wyoming Department of Health. “It’s a tough reality confirmed by three decades of statistics that place our state among those with the highest per-capita suicide rates.

More than 38,000 people in the United States commit suicide every year, according to the Grace for 2 Brothers website, http://www.gracefor2brothers.com.

Suicide is a subject BJ Ayers is all too familiar with. She has lost two sons to suicide, Theresa Pacheco with the Prevention Management office of Carbon County, said.

Ayers will be the guest speaker Thursday at the “Question, Persuade and Refer” (QPR) training from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Platte Valley Community Center.

Pacheco said there is still room for people who would like to reserve a spot in the training. Lunch is provided.

Ayers is the Suicide Regional Prevention Coordinator with the State of Wyoming Prevention Management Organization.

Sally Patton, the Community Prevention Professional for the Carbon County Prevention Management Organization said she attended Ayers training in Rawlins earlier this year.

“It is two hours of helpful information. I liked her format,” Patton said.

Earlier in the day, the Wyoming Department of Health is hosting Part two of its training, “Suicide Prevention: WHY do people die by suicide?”

The program is Thursday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and people can register online at https://www.2.gottomeeting.com/register/87259954.

At 9:30 a.m. on March 27, Part 3 of the series is “Suicide Prevention: WHAT must we do to save lives”. Interested parties can go to https://www.2gotomeeting.com/register/865685706.

The webinars will also be archived online, the press release said.

To register for the QPR training call Theresa Pacheco at 307-328-3969 or Sally Patton at 307-321-1093.