QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Why Learn QPR?

In 1999, the Surgeon General declared suicide a major public health problem.  In his Call to Action, the Surgeon General discussed fifteen key recommendations for suicide prevention.  Included in these recommendations was a proposal to “increase the proportion of colleges and universities with evidence-based programs designed to address serious young adult distress and prevent suicide.”  It was further recommended that such programs identify natural community helpers or Gatekeepers.  A Gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.  A Gatekeeper is anyone, including a parent, friend, roommate, teacher, advisor, resident assistant, public safety, or facilities personnel, who is strategically positioned to refer someone at risk of suicide. 

Suicidal people often display clues and warning signs that they are in trouble.  You can prevent suicide by becoming a QPR Gatekeeper.  Please consider joining the other 300,000 trained Gatekeepers across America who are saving lives every day.  Marquette University has a team of 21 faculty, staff, and administration who have been trained as QPR Trainers and are committed to providing Gatekeeper training throughout the Marquette Community.  You can become a Gatekeeper in under two hours.  .        

As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to:

• recognize the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide
• know what to do or say if you think someone might be at risk for suicide
• know where and how to refer someone who is depressed or considering suicide
• know how to offer hope