Southborough Youth & Family Services is asked me to remind readers about the free suicide prevention training. The training is intended to educate those in a position to recognize a crisis about the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.
The flyer notes that suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and on the rise for adults.
There are 17 spots left in the free program offered through the town. That means, 83 residents have already taken advantage of the offer.
As SYFS Director Sarah Cassell wrote last month:
This is an especially important time for families to take this training given the feeling of hopelessness and uncertainty many are feeling.
Cassell writes that the free online training only takes about an hour “and is well worth the time given the potentially life-saving skills acquired for participants.”
The training can be completed when it fits your schedule. (Although it is capped at 100 participants, the opportunity runs until August 1st.)
Cassell recommends trying to complete it in one sitting. But the self-pacing does allow participants take a break from it. (Say, if they’re interrupted by a family member who needs attention.)
Potential trainees include:
parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide.
The instructors, QPR Institute describe:
Our Gatekeeper course is taught in a clear, concise format using the latest in educational technology and practices.
Training covers:
- How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal
- How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide
- The common causes of suicidal behavior
- The warning signs of suicide
- How to get help for someone in crisis
To register through Southborough Recreation, click here. SYFS will follow up with emailed instructions for accessing the training. They will also provide participants with additional resources if they have further questions after training completion.
Cassell writes:
While this is a particularly difficult time we are all going though right now, this training opportunity is timely. The goal is to build a community that feels equipped with important suicide prevention noticing skills and the confidence to navigate guiding a person experiencing suicidality to the professional help they need. Residents should feel free to reach out to us if they have further questions or can partake in further training opportunities through QPR.
I took this training and I thought it was valuable. We are fortunate to have such a resource provided to us for free. Suicide is a hard reality to recognize and talk about. I feel prepared to talk with anyone I may meet or know who is sending red flags about their thoughts of suicide. I recommend this quick and easy training.