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Plymouth Whitemarsh High School

Help prevent suicide: Get trained to Question, Persuade, Refer on Feb. 18

Help prevent suicide: Get trained to Question, Persuade, Refer on Feb. 18

In an effort to educate more people on how to prevent suicide, Colonial School District is offering a training course for anyone who would like to learn how to recognize suicide warning signs, offer hope, and potentially save lives.

The QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper course will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the high school library. It is free and offered through our Adult Evening School Program in cooperation with the Pupil Services Department and Access Services and the Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Taskforce. Registration in advance is requested by clicking here.

One can think of QPR like CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation), according to the QPR Institute website. QPR is an emergency mental health intervention, just as CPR is an emergency medical intervention. Those who participate in QPR training will learn how to identify and interrupt a mental health crisis and direct a person to the proper care. 

A representative from Access Services' Crisis and Crisis Prevention programs will deliver the training. Dr. Felix Scherzinger, Behavioral Health Advisor, will be present as well to discuss Colonial School District's mental health resources. A representative from Aldersgate Services will also be on hand for anyone who might need emotional support.

Childcare services will be provided for free by high school student volunteers for any parents/guardians needing a babysitter in order to attend the training.