Easton’s Here To Help (EHTH) is hosting a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training event on July 27 at the Easton Library for individuals who live and work with youths and young adults. QPR is an internationally recognized program that teaches individuals how they can help someone in crisis.
“QPR gatekeeper training provides the knowledge needed to reach out to a friend, peer, student, family member, or colleague who may be experiencing suicidal ideation and connect him/her/them to resources that will help,” said Sarah Lehberger, a Region 9 Board of Education member who co-chairs EHTH with the town’s Social Service Director Alison Witherbee. “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.”
The training will teach individuals the common causes of suicidal behavior and the warning signs of suicide. Attendees will also learn skills for how to discuss and question suicidal thoughts, ideation, or intent; how to persuade the person to seek and accept help; and how to get help for someone in crisis or refer them to appropriate resources.
The training will be led by Victoria O’Neill, a certified instructor from The Hub, which is the designated Behavioral Health Action Organization for southwestern Connecticut. The event is free of charge and will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Easton Library.
EHTH is a coalition focused on providing mental health services to the community, as well prevention resources and treatment for drug misuse. Attendees must be 18 years or older. It is recommended that individuals who have been impacted by a suicide loss in the past six months refrain from taking part in the training.
For more information regarding the event, individuals can email info@eastonsheretohelp.org.
