Suicide Prevention

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer -- 3 simple steps that 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 how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in as little as one hour.

IN ONE HOUR YOU CAN BECOME A GATEKEEPER

According to the Surgeon General's National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2001), a gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. Gatekeepers include parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide.

As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to:

•  recognize the warning signs of suicide

•  know how to offer hope

•  know how to get help and save a life

We cannot overemphasize the need for early recognition of suicide warning signs. In a cardiac crisis, the difference between recognizing and acting where there is chest discomfort before it becomes crushing chest pain can mean the between life and death.

In a suicide crisis, the difference between recognizing and acting where there are vague ideas of suicide before these lead to a self-inflicted injury, can mean the difference between life and death.

WHAT YOU CAN DO…

• Become a suicide prevention gatekeeper
• Schedule QPR training at your school, club, college class or place of work or worship
• To locate a Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor in your area of South Carolina contact dsoileau@mha-sc.org .