Suicide Prevention Month has ended, but at CSPP, we continue to build on the momentum it created to fuel our work year-round. Here are some highlights from the past month:
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) was our most requested training. We held five QPR sessions and trained over 105 individuals. In QPR, we discuss how to help someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. However, we often forget that those supporting others also need help. Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide and persuading them to seek help can be extremely difficult. It is just as important for us, as helpers, to ask for support when we need it. To care for others, we must also care for ourselves and ensure we don’t face a crisis.
Our CSPP resources, the Construction CareLine, and 988 are for helpers and people experiencing a crisis. Suicide prevention means putting measures and habits in place before we reach a breaking point. We encourage workers to reach out to their mental health resources early—before a crisis—when life feels overwhelming and we find ourselves nearing a breaking point. By leaning on resources and support systems ahead of time, we can prevent a crisis and connect with hope.
Check out our list of mental health resources available in Oregon and nationally.
Early mornings are common in construction, and at CSPP, we are often up at the crack of dawn to connect with workers during their day. One of the highlights this month was seeing the progress of the projects we visited early in the morning. Since we often return to sites multiple times a year, we get to witness the changes and ongoing work. Take a look at some photos from outreach efforts!
CSPP had the privilege of speaking on a panel at the Oregon State Building Trades Council’s 61st Meeting in Silverton, Oregon. Colleen Cadell, Strategy Officer at Lines for Life, and Max Margolis, Director of CSPP, discussed the importance of mental health practices, the operation of the 988 system, and underscored the need to break the mental health stigma in the trades.
Remember, CSPP is here for you all year!
In addition to QPR, we also offer other presentations tailored to your organization, such as Essential Skills in De-escalation and Rethink the Drink. If you would like us to present to your crew, reach out to us at CSPPteam@linesforlife.org.
