Many United States citizens experienced an increase in mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine, but is that still around?
President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Manitowoc County Donna Firman gave us the numbers while on the WCUB Breakfast Club.
She explained that “We saw the suicide rate double in 2022 from 9, and then it jumped all the way up to 18.”
Firmann says that each suicide affects around 135 people, which equals over 2,000 people traumatized by these tragic losses.
She is partnering with Kate Nickel, the Senior Community Engagement Coordinator from Froedtert, to offer QPR classes for the community.
QPR stands for “Question. Persuade. Refer.”
Firman explained, “It’s about a ninety-minute course. We teach people how to determine if someone is in suicide risk. We teach them to persuade them to take positive action, and then we teach them how to refer to outside resources.”
The program is held throughout the country, and both Firman and Nickel are excited to bring this resource to the community.
Nickel said it is free and open to the public.
“We’re hosting two different training sessions,” she revealed. “The first one is…June 19th from 4:30 to 6 pm at the Manitowoc Public Library. The second session is going to be the following week on June 27th. That’s going to be a little earlier in the day from 2:30 to 4 pm and that is going to be at Froedert Holy Family Memorial Hospital right on Western Avenue.”
Anyone is encouraged to attend to learn how they can help friends, family, and their community with the struggle of mental health and suicide.
