We are approaching the end of 2024, and it is time for my last QPR (Question Persuade Refer) Suicide Prevention class of 2024, on Saturday, December 7th from 12:00-2:00 p.m. EST/SHARP. There is no registration. Please be on time and complete the entire training to get your two-year certificate and QPR booklet. Also, download Go To Meeting before the training!
Where did the time go? I hit the ground running in 2024, and trained from January to present. I have trained people from all walks of life in 2024, backgrounds, and ages, including those who had lost someone to suicide and those who attempted. I trained five classes at Johnson C. Smith University, two classes with the Charlotte Soccer Academy, Davidson University, CMPD rookie officers, and Queens, just to name a few and on top of one free QPR training a month. 2024, has been a great year for QPR Suicide Prevention Training but as I always say, "I am not done;"
It has been a rough year and, honestly, it has been ugly with the way mankind has been treating one another. There is a lot of uncertainty with the political climate and people's mental health has taken a toll. I read an article a few months ago that said, "Parents are Stressed, and Kids are Depressed." That is a bad combination. If parents are stressed, they can't listen to their children and if the children are depressed and can't talk to their parents about what is going on with them, it can take youth down a very bad path. We as a community, a culture, and a society need to be PROactive, not REactive when it comes to preventing suicide and helping people get the help they need!
We are dealing with CRITICAL times hard to deal with and it will get worse. In this country, we have been behind the eight ball with mental health and suicide prevention. Funding for mental health and suicide prevention hasn't received enough money from the federal government to put us ahead of the crisis we are dealing with now. So, with the new administration coming in, if they don't see the urgency or even recognize the problems when it comes to mental health and the crisis that is suicide, suicides will continue to soar, and people will continue, especially our youth will suffer in silence, self-medicate and die by suicide. We can't have that! We can talk all day about these issues but we need ACTION, and work together no matter the background. There is plenty of work for ALL of us to make a difference.
To let you know how important, vital, and how EVERYONE needs to become certified Gatekeepers, it was evident last month when two coaches I trained, went into ACTION like superheroes and saved a fella coach's life who was suicidal. His mother was so grateful they knew what to do, she wanted to become a certified Gatekeeper and did this month. She said, "She didn't know what to do or how to talk to her son making the situation worse. However, I always let people know, "Don't beat yourself up, once you know better, you can do better." She can NOW do better because she is trained in how to save a life. Anyone can save a life, you don't have to be a professional.
In July of this year, I attended Officer Brent Simpson's memorial service. He died by suicide on July 1st and was the 49th police officer nationwide to die by suicide. Since his death, over four months ago, 36, 36, MORE police officers have died nationwide to suicide. According to Bluehelp.org, as of TODAY, we are up to 85, police officers who have died nationwide. Suicide is the #1 cause of death for police officers. One person dying by suicide is one too many!
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to EVERYONE who took QPR Suicide Prevention Training from me in 2024, and became certified Gatekeepers. It makes me proud to have trained so many. Thank you for taking two hours out of your day to help someone on their worst day. I don't have any doubts that anyone who took training from me can and will save a life IF called upon, and they will be better about taking care of their mental health. If it has been more than two years, it is time to get recertified. Feel free to share as well.
If you haven't taken QPR Training, I challenge you to become a certified Gatekeeper before 2024, ends. What are two hours out of your day IF the time is spent learning how to save a life? I read this during the QPR Training out of the QPR booklet you'll receive after the training, "If we accomplish just one thing in teaching you QPR it will be to recognize your fear about this subject and to overcome that fear so you can take quick, bold, ACTION to SAVE A LIFE." You never know what someone is going through!
What is QPR Suicide Prevention Training? It is similar to CPR. Both are to help someone in a medical crisis, but QPR Training is also to help someone who may be suicidal. QPR Suicide Prevention Training does several things, one, it allows people to be able to help someone in crisis, or suicidal, two, it helps gauge your mental health and three, if you pick up on the warning signs early enough, you can keep someone from going into crisis or becoming suicidal. It is a WIN-WIN for everyone. QPR Training also gives people the confidence to help someone in crisis or suicidal without panicking and be able to act quickly.
Suicide is the most preventable death of ALL deaths, and ANYONE can save a life. Become Someone's HERO! I hope to see old and new faces on my last QPR (Question Persuade Refer) Suicide Prevention Training for 2024!!! Let's finish STRONG!
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