FERNDALE –September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and all are invited on Friday September 27 to participate in a free QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training from 10 a.m. to noon at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 64 Ferndale Loomis Rd. Liberty.  

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis; and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. 

The Surgeon General’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, defines “gatekeeper” as individuals trained to recognize a crisis; and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. 

Gatekeepers can be anyone, but includes parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, coaches, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, fire fighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide. 

They are trained to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. 

As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper, participants will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, and know how to get help and save a life. The more people trained in QPR, the more lives saved.

Sullivan 180 Community Health Champion Trainers are ready to bring QPR to workplaces, schools, fire departments, community centers and places of worship at no cost. 

“Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis that can save lives. I am so proud to train both facilitators and gatekeepers for our county’s suicide prevention program, QPR,” shared Jill Holland, Master QPR Instructor & Sullivan 180 Community Health Champion Trainer.

To register for the next QPR Gatekeeper Training taking place on Friday, September 27th at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan or to bring this training to your group, email trainings@sullivan180.org or by calling 845-295-2680.