National statistics reveal that when a caring individual courageously
intervenes for a person at risk, the risk of suicide is reduced by 94%
First responders and teachers are now required by legislation to participate in intervention training. This is a step in the right direction. But more must be done. The Intervene Challenge is a rally cry to all members of the community to take seriously the role we all have in building a network of care that reduces the risk of suicide. The real first responder is the family member or friend who is first made aware of crisis often long before a uniformed first responder is on the scene.
Every week we receive word from participants of the Intervene Challenge telling us that the training has helped them hear and see risk in ways they never have before. While we recognize that some will never intervene for those in crisis, 94% of participants say they are now more likely to ask the suicide question.
Thus we have a bold goal for our local community. Our goal is to train 1 in 100 community members who are ready, willing, and able to intervene for the 1 in 10 that have thoughts of suicide in our community each year. Together we can build a network of care that guides those at risk to safe harbor.
Recently John Dixon, a professional actor shared with us that he completed three successful interventions because of what he learned as an actor for a brief film that we produced for the Intervene Challenge.
A Realtor shared that her client told her she would not be needing to buy a new home and wanted her son to be at closing on her behalf. The Realtor continued to listen and was finally convinced the client was having thoughts of suicide.
A mother taught her teen “if you see something say something”. When her son received an alarming text from his friend a successful intervention was completed. Both teens have now taken the Intervene Challenge sponsored by the Police Auxiliary and are active gatekeepers for their school.
A man in the gym heard a buddy say, “I don’t even know why I workout." The man listened carefully to his buddy, learned more, and was able to lead his friend back to safety after having thoughts of suicide.
Again, intervention saves lives!
The Next Step
Take the Intervene Challenge
Host an Intervene Challenge for your organization
Join us as an individual, family, or corporate partner in the mission to save lives
I dream of a day when a boy will ask his father, “Dad what was suicide?”
Lou Koon
