The Hope Squad was started in 2013 when it became apparent the suicide rate in Carbon County was much higher than the other counties in Utah. On average, there are 11 completions per 100,000 population, but in Carbon County with a population of about 20,000, the average was hovering at about two dozen.
Southeastern Utah District Health Department Health Promotions Director Debbie Marvidikis observed, “The only causal factor in suicide is hopelessness. Once that person feels completely hopeless, that’s when they consciously think of taking their life.”
Marvidikis said most people attempt seven to twenty times. But she noted, “The rates dropped once we started as a community to address this. If depression can be treated, suicide can be prevented.”
The Hope Squad works throughout the year to raise awareness and support survivors with the Hope for Spring event and Hope Walk, ongoing QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, and the Hope Festival, which was held Friday evening at the Notre Dame Hope Center.
The family-oriented event featured bingo, with $1,000 in prizes donated by the local community, eight turkeys, three major door prizes,
and a cake walk, fishing pond and pictures with Santa for the kids.
QPR training is available to families, businesses and organizations. Marvidikis noted a group of 45 local faith-based leaders recently completed the one-hour course on how to recognize the risk behaviors and the warning signs of suicide. “Once you know the signs to look for, that suicide can be prevented, and that you can offer hope to someone by recognizing suicidal signs, then you can save their life,” she stated.
For more information on the Hope Squad, call the Southeastern Utah District Health Department at 435-637-3671 or visit seuhealth.com.
Hope Festival draws community support
Teen Miss Carbon County Wynter Pendray