Charleston Job Corps host’s guest speaker at the Monday Morning Business Meeting in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month.
Mr. Mark Mason, Intervention Specialist from Prevent Suicide West Virginia, demonstrated the ACT Method to students and staff as a tool to use
when someone is displaying signs of depression.

A – Ask for information of how the individual is doing. “Do you intend to commit suicide?” It’s a
difficult question to ask, but studies show that asking at-risk people if they’re suicidal does
not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. BE PRESENT: Pay close attention and learn what the
individual is thinking and feeling. According to research, acknowledging and discussing suicide
may reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.

C – Care: check with them or on them to show you CARE and they are not alone.

T – Treat- Tell others about your findings and seek assistance, as this could save a life.

Mason also stressed the significance of KEEPING THEM SAFE: Restricting a suicidal person’s access to potentially lethal items or locations is an
important component of suicide prevention. While it is not always easy, asking the at-risk person if they have a plan and removing or disabling the
lethal means can help.

In closing, Mason provided the Suicide Prevention Hotline number and a bracelet displaying the number.