What does QPR mean?
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 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.
What is 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 can be anyone, but 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
Presented by: Tim Handforth, assisted by Jennifer Jentzsch.
Tim Handforth is a retired combat veteran who currently works as the Zero Suicide Coordinator for Community Counseling Solutions serving Gilliam, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla and Wheeler Counties. He is a passionate advocate for suicide prevention, having experienced loss of family and friends to suicide, and embraces the Zero Suicide Philosophy of reducing suicide deaths to zero.
Jennifer Jentzsch is currently a Peer Wellness Specialist with Good Shepherd. Jennifer has gone through an intensive, state approved training program; utilizing a combination of the skills learned in this training and personal lived experience, she is able to provide advocacy and support for others with similar challenges. Jennifer also has experience as a certified Peer Support Worker, Qualified Mental Health Associate and Community Health Worker.
