BROOKINGS — The suicide of a South Dakota State University alumnus more than a decade ago has led to an annual event sponsored by his father to honor his late son: the Second Annual John Enke Memorial 5K Run/Walk  will be Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at McCrory Gardens.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) certification course. Pulling it all together are Julia Walker and Jaque Danielson, both staff members at the Wellness Center-Student Health Center & Counseling Services & HEROH (Helping Everyone Reach Optimal Health), which is organizing the event.

The first 5K started last year when David Enke, John Enke’s father, approached the foundation.

“It was on the 10-year anniversary of losing our son,” Enke said. “We decided that we would have to reach out and see what we could do to create awareness and support for suicide prevention. We had a little bit of money left over from John’s assets and I was interested in donating that money to the (South Dakota State University) Foundation, so that they could find a use for it: training or educating staff or whomever in regards to suicide awareness and prevention.

“The Foundation in turn contacted the Wellness Center-Student Health Center and Counseling Services. They took the ball from there to come back with a program for last year and subsequent years.”

So was born the first John Enke Memorial 5K Run/Walk.

Addressing student suicides 

John was an SDSU alumnus, class of 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and graduating summa cum laude.

“He just totally enjoyed his time here on campus,” David said. “The relationships and the friendships that he built when he was here, he was true to them for the shortness of his life that came after SDSU. He often talked of the relationships, the things that they did together, the good times.

“I think that fostered his dream of becoming a physician after he left here.” John went on to medical school at the University of South Dakota (Vermillion). He graduated from there in spring 2013 and was ready to begin a residency in Sioux Falls later in summer. That future never came to fruition. As do the futures of many students as they pursue but cut short their education by taking their own lives. But efforts are underway so that such students’ pursuits may come to fruition.

Walker noted that student suicides happen on college campuses across the nation and they are being addressed: “Absolutely. I would say specifically with the SDSU campus, even more so now because of the memorial fund. All our staff members now at the counseling center are going to be trained to provide the QPR training.

“We’ve already taken that across the campus to community assistance in residential life. We attended their training, so all 130 of them were trained in (QPR) this past month. We also have more sessions planned for September to reach students, faculty and community members.”

A lonely, scary time of life

The years of 18 to 35 can be considered a time when young people are pursuing higher education, beginning careers, things are coming together and they’re getting on with life. But there may be a downside: “I think it can be a lonely time for a lot of people,” Walker said. “They’re stepping away from friends that they’ve made, from their family, they’re starting a life on their own. That independence can be really scary. Without your support system there or without your go-tos, your people, places and things that usually help you feel better — if you don’t have those with you, you can fall into pretty deep depression or anxiety. Obviously I  don’t speak for everyone. 

“That age range is also where a lot of diagnosables, anxiety and depression has to really manifest itself, because the brain is developing much slower at that point; it’s finishing its stuff.

“So that’s kind of when adult life begins, when we see a lot of diagnosables: depression, anxiety, other things such as maybe bipolar disorders, things like that, which could make someone roll up and down between emotions.

“I think that age range also has the expectation of: I can get it; I’ll figure myself out; or I’ll just pull myself up,” Walker said, of those who may be contemplating suicide. “That’s really hard-to-do, so (they) don’t reach out to people.” 

 In doubt, still ask

She explained that markers or signals that someone is contemplating suicide may be readily apparent or they may be overlooked. 

“That QPR training is exactly what that covers,” Walker added. “Because the QPR training really focuses on some of the more direct communication, maybe indirect communication that people who are struggling may use: some of the situational clues, behavioral clues. Just be aware of them.”

And be willing to ask: “Are you thinking about suicide? If you’re in doubt, still ask it. Then persuade that person to seek help. And make the right referral, getting them to the help: Whether it’s the SDSU counseling center or another agency but getting them to that professional mental help support.”

The first Enke Memorial 5K in 2023 raised enough dollars to help pay for QPR training and paved the way for this year’s 5K, in effect making it an annual event.

“The ultimate goal would be to be able to get all the students, all the faculty, all the staff, everyone QPR trained,” Walker and Danielson urged. “Come out and support us. Donate if you can. Join us in honoring John’s legacy. This training is a great step forward that the university can provide for others so that they can deal with these instances when they do arrive. It’s a lot like CPR in a way, where you’re applying some skills.”

Bottom line is to get the word out on QPR: question, persuade and refer, suicide awareness and prevention training.

Contact John Kubal at jkubal@brookingsregister.com.