LIBERTY, NY — Recently, 11 members of the Sullivan County community became Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) gatekeeper trainers. 

Those trained included school counselors, school social workers, a school nurse and members of community organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Crystal Run Healthcare, Catholic Charities, Sullivan 180 and Hudson Valley Community Services. 

These individuals are now able to lead the 90-minute QPR gatekeeper training throughout the county and spread suicide prevention awareness. 

“By training more individuals in our community to share the importance of the QPR suicide awareness and intervention training, we then have more individuals able to identify and interrupt the crisis and direct individuals to the proper care,” said QPR master trainer instructor Jill Holland. 

QPR is a suicide prevention training that teaches three simple steps: Question, Persuade and Refer. Gatekeepers learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope and know how to get help and save a life. 

Sullivan County has the highest suicide mortality rate in the Hudson Valley. “It is imperative to bring prevention and awareness trainings into the county to support the suicide crisis,” Sullivan 180 stated. 

The group “acknowledges the tremendous grief that families and communities feel when they experience a loss due to suicide. By empowering community members with the skills to talk openly about this issue, these new QPR trainers will help break down the stigma around mental health and ultimately save lives,” said Amanda Langseder, Sullivan 180 managing director. “We hope workplaces, schools, houses of worship and community groups will request a QPR training soon.” 

If you are interested in becoming a QPR gatekeeper or your organization is interested in setting up a 90-minute training, email info@sullivan180.org or call 845/295-2680.