Ask A Question, Save A Life: Project UB WELL

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About QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Research shows that early detection of mental health issues gives a much greater prognosis for recovery and that early intervention can sometimes be critical. The UB Student Wellness Team believes that no student who wants or needs help should be left to struggle alone.

In Spring 2007, the University at Buffalo's Student Wellness Team (Counseling Services, Health Services, and Wellness Education Services) launched a major suicide prevention initiative for the UB community. Now, supported by a generous grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), UB offers "Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR)," a nationally-recognized suicide prevention training program.

The ultimate goal is to train as many people on campus as possible in QPR. Much like CPR, QPR is an easy process that can be applied by everyone, including people outside of mental health professions. QPR is a behavioral intervention that focuses on getting a distressed individual referred for professional help. It is intended to teach front-line people (e.g. resident advisors, academic advisors, friends, religious professionals, faculty/staff, parents etc.) how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, including verbal, behavioral, and situational clues. QPR provides direction as to how to Question a person about suicidal thoughts, Persuade them to get help and to Refer the person for help.

Presented by a certified QPR instructor, each 90-minute training session includes information on:

• The problem of suicide nationally, in New York and at UB
• Common myths and facts associated with suicide
• Warning signs of suicide
• Tips for asking the suicide question
• Methods for persuading suicidal individuals to get help
• Ways of referring at risk people to local resources
• AND time for Questions and Answers

Upcoming Training Sessions

Location: all training sessions take place in the Student Union.

Register online now

Please fill out the information (either individual or group) requested below and once your submission has been received you will be contacted with further information.

If you wish to schedule a QPR training for your work group or department, please complete the form below.

Note: The minimum size for each training is 5 people. If a session is cancelled due to low registration, then participants will be contacted about an alternative training date. The maximum size for each training is 20 people. Therefore, more than one session may be offered for large staffs and departments. Small staffs and departments (less than 10 people) may be involved in joint training with other offices. Also, to fulfill SAMHSA grant requirements, participants will be asked to confidentially complete a demographic information form and pre and post-tests online. However, provision of this information is voluntary and is not required to receive the training.

Related Sites

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