free suicide prevention training to community

Posted: October 29, 2019

You, like many others, may have training in CPR to stabilize those who are not breathing or in cardiac arrest until emergency responders arrive. CPR (short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has saved countless lives of those we love in their time of need. But what about the times when people are in a mental health crisis? Do you have the skills and training to perform life-saving mental health intervention?

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Bridgette Hensley, Psy.D., Mayo Clinic Health System psychologist and QPR certified trainer at Winneshiek Medical Center says, “Everyone should be trained in QPR. Suicide is one of the most preventable kinds of death. QPR provides hope and empowers people to help by teaching them how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.”

The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. QPR training is for anyone: parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, foremen, advisors, caseworkers, law enforcement, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide.

Dr. Hensley says, “In CPR the general public is educated about the classic signs of a heart attack, and then taught how to respond. In QPR participants are educated about the known warning signs of a suicide crisis: expressions of hopelessness, depression, giving away prized possessions, talking of suicide, securing lethal means, and then taught how to respond.”

Dr. Hensley adds, “The more people trained in QPR in our community, the more lives will be saved.”

Free QPR Training at WMC
Winneshiek Medical Center is holding a free QPR training in the WMC lower level conference rooms on Thursday, November 14 from 6:30 – 8 pm.

The training is appropriate for teens and older, and is led by Dr. Hensley. Space is limited and registration is appreciated by Friday, November 8. Register online at www.winmedical.org/QPR-training or call WMC at 563-382-2911 and ask for Behavioral Health.

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Bridgette Hensley, Psy.D., Mayo Clinic Health System psychologist and QPR certified trainer at Winneshiek Medical Center.

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