Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Three-Step Suicide Prevention Training

The theme of this year’s awareness month is “Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.”

This is a powerful call to action, especially since people often don’t know how or what to say. This is where QPR training can help -- and save a life.

Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR)

The mission of QPR, the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world, is “to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training.” (qprinstitute.com)

In this three-step suicide prevention training, participants learn to recognize and respond to an individual in a mental health crisis. Just like CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency medical intervention, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention to be used as an emergency response to someone in a mental health crisis. With both CPR and QPR, the more people trained, the more lives saved.

Recognize the Warning Signs of Suicide

Workforce Health has certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructors who train organizational leaders and staff in this lifesaving intervention. The one-hour class, facilitated by a QPR-Certified presenter, can be provided onsite or virtually.

QPR participants learn to recognize the warning signs of someone who may be at risk for suicide, how to talk with someone about their suicidal thoughts and how to connect with the support needed. Upon completion of the training, participants receive QPR certification and additional resources.

Together, through education and training we can reduce the incidence of suicide, save lives and help to foster a culture of support and understanding.

Contact us to learn more about QPR and other programs that can benefit your team.