SPOKANE, Wash. — September is Suicide Prevention Month and a local organization is hosting an important training aimed at saving lives.
On September 10 from 1-3 p.m., Prevent Suicide Spokane Coalition (PSSC) is hosting a free QPR training.
“QPR” stands for “Question, Persuade and Refer,” and according to the coalition, these are three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
PSSC said people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, reach out and offer support, apply a suicide intervention model and connect people with helpful resources.
The training will be conducted by Sabrina Votava, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of FailSafe for Life , a Spokane-based organization working to end suicide attempts and deaths in the community.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background.”
PSSC’s QPR training will be held virtually and is open to anyone 16 and older.