QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention

QPR Institute

Program Type

Education or Training Program

Cost

$500 or less

Evidence Type

Empirically-Defined Evidence

SPRC Comprehensive Approach

Identify and Assist, Increase Help-Seeking, Respond to Crisis

Program or Intervention Summary

Minimum learning objectives

Participants completing the 1-2 hour QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention should be able to:

  1. Recognize someone at risk for suicide
  2. Demonstrate increased knowledge of intervention skills
  3. Describe knowledge of referral resources and how to refer someone to help

Formal outcomes

Significant positive changes from training include:

  1. Knowledge about suicide
  2. Gatekeeper self-efficacy
  3. Knowledge of suicide prevention resources
  4. Gatekeeper skills
  5. Diffusion of gatekeeper training information

Core Curriculum Content

Based on the needs of young adult and adult learners, extensive testing, and the available scientific literature, the QPR Gatekeeper training program includes the following educational elements:

  • Basic orientation to suicide prevention and the role of gatekeepers
  • Disclaimer that QPR is not treatment, but a citizen emergency response to a mental health crisis
  • Review of the common myths about suicide and an active cognitive correction of participant false beliefs
  • Review and recognition of samples of evidence-based suicide warning signsn•tHow to set up a QPR intervention (timing, environment, resources)
  • How to ask the S (suicide) Question (examples, specific phraseology, anticipated results)
  • How to persuade a suicidal person to accept help (active listening skills, focus on problem(s), requests for life-saving action)
  • How to refer a suicidal person to local/national resources (accompanied referral, names, numbers, addresses)
  • How to improve self-efficacy and enhance hope by offering a personal belief in a positive outcome
  • Where possible and time permits, active behavioral rehearsal of QPR skills in role-play situationsn

The take-home text QPR booklet which reviews the training and includes the following background risk and protective factor information:

  • definition of a gatekeeper and the role
  • overcoming negative emotional reactions to suicide
  • basic understanding of suicidal behavior
  • definition of suicidal behavior
  • review and listing of multiple warning signs
  • depression as a risk factor for suicide
  • alcohol as a risk factor for suicide
  • review of the progressive QPR steps/sample questions
  • brief tutorial on active listening skills
  • how to deal with resistance
  • what to do in the event the person refuses help
  • recommendations on removal of means of suiciden-tthe value of hope and faith in preventing suicide
Type Education or Training Program
Setting Online, Home, Community, Correctional Facility, Healthcare Facility, Inpatient mental health facility, Residential facility, PK-12 School, Social Services or Public Health, Transition Between Settings, Tribal communities, United States Territory
People Women, Men
Languages English, Spanish, Chinese
Study Method Quantitative Design
Implementer Requirement Adults, Peer Consultants, Traditional/Natural helper, Traditional/Spiritual healer, Community Laypeople, Family Mentors, K-12 school faculty and staff, Professional Educators, Higher Ed or Post-Secondary Programs, Faith and spiritual community leaders, Veterans and those who work with veterans, Juvenile justice professionals, Law Enforcement and First Responders, Medical Providers
Training Requirement Yes
Delivery Options In-Person, Virtual self-paced, Hybrid

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