FROM THE DESK OF RON ACKERMANN PRESS RELEASE Suicide Prevention Class To Be Held At Santa Fe Presbyterian Church In Edmond Learning to ask the right questions, could save a life. That’s what QPR Suicide Prevention Training is all about. Crisis Intervention Officer Bervis D. Littles with the Edmond Police Department will be conducting this class at Santa Fe Presbyterian Church, 1603 North Santa Fe Avenue, on Tuesday, November 17th at 7 pm. The public is invited to attend this free training and light refreshments will be served. QPR training is designed to help recognize and respond positively to someone exhibiting suicide warning signs and behaviors. Suicide warning signs include the death or terminal illness of a relative or friend, loss of health, alcohol or drug abuse and depression, which in youth may be masked by hyperactivity or acting out behavior, according to the Oklahoma State Health Department. Like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR stands for “Question. Persuade and Refer, three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Those who complete this 90 minute training will learn how to ask the right questions, persuade someone who is thinking about suicide to accept or seek help, and know where to refer them to get the help they need. An article in “The Oklahoman” newspaper stated that suicides have risen 12 percent in Oklahoma since 2004. With 15 suicides per 100,000 people, Oklahoma ranks 11th nationally, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Oklahoma’s suicide rate is twice that of the homicide rate. In 2008, there were 578 suicides compared to 249 homicides, according to preliminary data released by the state medical examiner’s office. The 2-to-1 ration in Oklahoma is consistent with other states. By age group, the largest group of suicides in Oklahoma involved people between 40 and 60 years old. Within this group, there were 227 suicides. The small amount of time invested in this class can make a difference in the life of someone considering suicide. To find out more information about the QPR Institute, go to the web site www.qprinsti-tute.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Bruce Ackerman, 405/340-5380, backerman@ompa.com
YOU ARE INVITED TO: The installation ceremony for Rev. Mitchell Lee Miller as Senior Minister of Santa Fe Presbyterian Church, 1603 North Santa Fe Avenue, in Edmond will be held on Reformation Sunday, October 25th at 4 pm. Rev. Mally Baum, Associate Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney, Texas, will be giving a sermon during the installation. A dinner will follow the ceremony in Fellowship Hall. At 6 pm, there will be a concert in the Sanctuary featuring “Mixed Company” and “The Back Row.” These Christian music groups play a variety of styles of music – gospel, jazz, spirituals - and a variety of instruments. “It will be a great night of music,” said Tim Goff, Santa Fe’s Director of Music and Children Ministry. The public is invited to attend the concert and a love offering will be taken. RSVP - 405-341-330 or susan@santafechurch.org