MARQUETTE, MI-- People with suicidal thoughts should go to someone—anyone—for help.
That’s according to Patti Karwoski, longtime guidance counselor for the Marquette Area Public Schools district. Her statement follows the release of an email sent to certain Northern Michigan University students that says they could face disciplinary action if they discuss suicidal or self-destructive thoughts with other students.
Karwoski says if a person is too ashamed or too scared to go to a professional or a person of authority, they should simply talk to someone they trust.
“I think that when a person is depressed and is having suicidal thoughts the most important thing is that that person talks to whoever they have a trusting relationship with, and often that may be a peer, it may be a family member, it might be a coworker, it might be a fellow student. The main thing is to tell someone,” she says.
Karwoski says once that first contact is made, then the person they confided in can take the necessary steps to get professional help.
The Marquette County Suicide Prevention Alliance has adopted the QPR—or Question, Persuade, and Refer—program. It trains people to question about suicidal intent, persuade them to get help, and refer them to appropriate resources.
People who are suicidal can dial 911 for immediate help, or call a suicide hotline at 800-273-TALK.
