Ask a Question...Save a Life!

While suicide is the most preventable cause of death, it is the second leading cause of death among college students. The college student suicide rate in the U.S. has become such a concern that suicide prevention education on college campuses is a primary goal of the federal government’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. One of the reasons for this tragic situation is that the topic of suicide is very frightening and difficult for people to discuss, let alone address directly with someone they know. Yet, in the overwhelming majority of cases, people who are having suicidal thoughts communicate clues to someone personally close to them like a family member, friend, instructor, or co-worker. They rarely reach out for professional help themselves. Faculty and staff are in a unique position to recognize when students may be thinking about suicide because these students frequently communicate clues to them in their class comments, written assignments, and even through direct conversation.

Learning to ask the right question, could save a life. That’s what QPR Suicide Prevention Training is about and it is available to faculty and staff from the Texas State Counseling Center. QPR training is designed to help faculty and staff members recognize and help students or colleagues who may be thinking about suicide as a solution to their problems. QPR stands for “Question, Persuade, and Refer”. Those who complete this 90 minute training program will learn how to ask the right questions, persuade someone who is thinking about suicide to get help, and know how to refer them to help. Dr. Greg Snodgrass, Meg Grant, and Blanca Sanchez-Navarro, Certified QPR Instructors, will conduct the training for individual departments and offices across the campus. Call the Counseling Center at 245-2208 to arrange for training for your department. Learn how to “ask a question ... save a life!”

 For more information click here or view the official QPR page here.