Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 
Lawyers are prone to mental health issues, but there is hope. Join The Missouri Bar in several events planned for September and October to share resources and bring awareness. 
If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 

Out of The Darkness Walks

Join your fellow lawyers throughout September and October in bringing awareness and hope to the legal profession.

Lawyers have reported having more days with suicidal ideation than the general working population.1 September is national Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and several Missouri lawyers are leading Out of the Darkness Walks across the state to raise awareness and funds to help prevent suicide.

There will be five walks across the state, and anyone can participate at no cost. Click on the links below to see more information about registration, exact locations, and start times. You can also use the links to donate if you can’t attend.  

  1. St. Louis, Sept. 28 – Creve Coeur Lake Park, led by Daniel Barnett-Foster in conjunction with the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
  2. Joplin, Oct. 4 – Landreth Park, led by Johnny Boyer.
  3. Greene County, Sept. 27 – Battlefield City Park, led by Erica Mynarich.
  4. Kansas City, Oct. 4 – English Landing Park, led by Lillian Mehler.
  5. Columbia, Oct. 19 – Bethel Park, led by Stacy Parmer.

Learn more about the national Out of the Darkness Walks through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention here.

Missouri lawyers and law students have access to free, confidential counseling through the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program. Learn more at MoBar.org/MOLAP.

If in an emergency, call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Endnotes: 

1 Matthew S. Thiese et al., Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation Among Lawyers and Other Law Professionals, 63 J. OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MED. 381-386 (2021).

 

Crisis Response training

Lawyers often encounter people in emotional pain, and the profession itself has elevated rates of depression, substance use, and suicide. Having strategies for working with others in a crisis can save lives.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer. With simple, practical, and proven steps, QPR training is the most widely taught suicide prevention gatekeeper training in the world. The training is at no cost and approved for up to 1.6 hours of MCLE credit, including ethics.

Participants will become more comfortable and confident in broaching the sensitive subject of suicide, receive support resources, and have the opportunity to practice and discuss skills learned.

All trainings take place via Zoom. Each session is two hours long and limited to 25 participants. Attendees will receive access to online support materials to reinforce the training, complete a pre- and post-test about their confidence in discussing the topic of suicide, and can print a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Registration will close after the session reaches the maximum number of participants. 

To register, first click on the link below your preferred time and date. After registering with the link below, MOLAP will send you a confirmation email with a unique link. Use that link to join the training, not the registration link below. 

Sept. 10, noon-2 p.m.  
https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/X4xXbgtqQce6KkvaU0h2rA

Sept. 24, noon-2 p.m. 
https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/ic-lxvxATriwqREZydyFHg

Oct. 15, noon-2 p.m.
https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/_OYtEKbYSduGap2GgqCX_Q

MOLAP Director Stacy Parmer will register participants through the QPR system after they complete the course. This will give participants access to the training pre-test, post-test, follow-up support materials, and allow them to provide instructor feedback to improve the quality of the training. 

To learn more, visit News.MoBar.org . 

'Suicide: The Ripple Effect' CLE

The Missouri Bar is hosting a virtual showing of the documentary "Suicide: The Ripple Effect," followed by a panel discussion. The CLE will be Sept. 24 from 4-6 p.m. The program is eligible for 2.4 MCLE, including 2.4 Ethics.

At age 19, Kevin Hines attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate bridge. Today, he is a mental health advocate who spreads a message of hope and recovery. This message is especially important for lawyers, who are prone to mental health concerns. The documentary shares his story and reminds viewers that hope and healing are possible.

Register at MoBarCLE.MoBar.org.
Resources:
If you are in a medical or safety emergency requiring law enforcement, EMS, or fire, call 911. 
Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program contact information
Phone number: 1-800-688-7859
Email: MOLAP@MoBar.org
Website: MoBar.org/MOLAP