Suicide Prevention Training

Question, Persuade, Refer - (QPR)

What is QPR?QPR Institute Question. Persuade. Refer.

Q - Question

P - Persuade

R - Refer

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

The QPR Institute created this model and the Town of Lexington Human Services Department will be providing hour-long QPR community Gatekeeper trainings to those who might be interested.

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 are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

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

Upcoming QPR Community Trainings

To register visit lexrecma.com

  • September 12th at 5:30pm on Zoom
  • September 14th at 2:00pm in person at the Lexington Community Center
  • September 21st at 12:30pm on Zoom
  • September 26th at 5:30pm in person at the Lexington Community Center

If you have any questions about QPR contact: Sharon Gunda, LICSW at sgunda@lexingtonma.gov