TULSA, Okla. - On average, 123 people in the U.S. die by suicide each day. That’s roughly the equivalent of a passenger jet crashing every single day. Imagine how quickly our country would rally to end an airliner crashing every day, yet suicide largely remains an ignored epidemic.
To illustrate this fact on the grandest scale, Tulsa muralist Josh Butts, of Scrambler Creative, used chalk to cover the entire west side of the ahha Hardesty Center with the outline of a passenger jet paired with the heartbreaking suicide statistic that inspired the dramatic art piece, TOO BIG TO IGNORE.
2 Works for You meteorologist Jon Haverfield is on a mission to raise awareness about Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s free suicide prevention training, "Question, Persuade, Refer" (QPR). He spoke at the unveiling. Jon's sister died by suicide.
QPR is the mental health version of CPR. It teaches the general public suicide risk factors and warning signs, as well as how to be ready to ask someone this tough but essential question: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Then, because of QPR training, they will be equipped to walk with a friend, co-worker, or loved one as they connect to treatment before it’s too late.
Sign-up for QPR trainings and learn more about Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s "TOO BIG TO IGNORE, May is Mental Health Month" campaign.
About Mental Health Association Oklahoma
Mental Health Association Oklahoma is a statewide nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of people impacted by mental illness and homelessness. To learn more about the Association, visit www.mhaok.org.
About ahha
ahha’s mission is to cultivate a more creative Tulsa through advocacy, education, and innovative partnerships, which contribute to the quality of life and economic vitality of the greater community. To learn more about ahha, visit www.ahhatulsa.org.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
