QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
QPR Institute
QPR Institute
Program or Intervention Summary
QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
Minimum learning objectives
Participants completing the 1-2 hour QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention should be able to:
- Recognize someone at risk for suicide
- Demonstrate increased knowledge of intervention skills
- Describe knowledge of referral resources and how to refer someone to help
Formal outcomes
Significant positive changes from training include:
- Knowledge about suicide
- Gatekeeper self-efficacy
- Knowledge of suicide prevention resources
- Gatekeeper skills
- Diffusion of gatekeeper training information
Core Curriculum Content
Based on the needs of young adult and adult learners, extensive testing, and the available scientific literature, the QPR Gatekeeper training program includes the following educational elements:
- Basic orientation to suicide prevention and the role of gatekeepers
- Disclaimer that QPR is not treatment, but a citizen emergency response to a mental health crisis
- Review of the common myths about suicide and an active cognitive correction of participant false beliefs
- Review and recognition of samples of evidence-based suicide warning signs
- How to set up a QPR intervention (timing, environment, resources)
- How to ask the S (suicide) Question (examples, specific phraseology, anticipated results)
- How to persuade a suicidal person to accept help (active listening skills, focus on problem(s), requests for life-saving action)
- How to refer a suicidal person to local/national resources (accompanied referral, names, numbers, addresses)
- How to improve self-efficacy and enhance hope by offering a personal belief in a positive outcome
- Where possible and time permits, active behavioral rehearsal of QPR skills in role-play situations
- The take-home text QPR booklet which reviews the training and includes the following background risk and protective factor information:
- definition of a gatekeeper and the role
- overcoming negative emotional reactions to suicide
- basic understanding of suicidal behavior
- definition of suicidal behavior
- review and listing of multiple warning signs
- depression as a risk factor for suicide
- alcohol as a risk factor for suicide
- review of the progressive QPR steps/sample questions
- brief tutorial on active listening skills
- how to deal with resistance
- what to do in the event the person refuses help
- recommendations on removal of means of suicide
- the value of hope and faith in preventing suicide
Program or Intervention Summary
QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
Minimum learning objectives
Participants completing the 1-2 hour QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention should be able to:
- Recognize someone at risk for suicide
- Demonstrate increased knowledge of intervention skills
- Describe knowledge of referral resources and how to refer someone to help
Formal outcomes
Significant positive changes from training include:
- Knowledge about suicide
- Gatekeeper self-efficacy
- Knowledge of suicide prevention resources
- Gatekeeper skills
- Diffusion of gatekeeper training information
Core Curriculum Content
Based on the needs of young adult and adult learners, extensive testing, and the available scientific literature, the QPR Gatekeeper training program includes the following educational elements:
- Basic orientation to suicide prevention and the role of gatekeepers
- Disclaimer that QPR is not treatment, but a citizen emergency response to a mental health crisis
- Review of the common myths about suicide and an active cognitive correction of participant false beliefs
- Review and recognition of samples of evidence-based suicide warning signs
- How to set up a QPR intervention (timing, environment, resources)
- How to ask the S (suicide) Question (examples, specific phraseology, anticipated results)
- How to persuade a suicidal person to accept help (active listening skills, focus on problem(s), requests for life-saving action)
- How to refer a suicidal person to local/national resources (accompanied referral, names, numbers, addresses)
- How to improve self-efficacy and enhance hope by offering a personal belief in a positive outcome
- Where possible and time permits, active behavioral rehearsal of QPR skills in role-play situations
- The take-home text QPR booklet which reviews the training and includes the following background risk and protective factor information:
- definition of a gatekeeper and the role
- overcoming negative emotional reactions to suicide
- basic understanding of suicidal behavior
- definition of suicidal behavior
- review and listing of multiple warning signs
- depression as a risk factor for suicide
- alcohol as a risk factor for suicide
- review of the progressive QPR steps/sample questions
- brief tutorial on active listening skills
- how to deal with resistance
- what to do in the event the person refuses help
- recommendations on removal of means of suicide
- the value of hope and faith in preventing suicide
| Type | Education/Training |
| Setting | Online, Home, Community, Correctional facility, Health care facility, Mental health facility, Residential facility, School, Social Services or Public Health, Transition between settings (i.e., inpatient to outpatient or community), Federally recognized tribal land, United States territory |
| People | Adolescents (12 to 17 years), Young Adults (18 to 25 years), Mature Adults (26 to 64 years), Older Adults (65+ years), Women, Men |
| Prevention Level | Prevention |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Chinese |
| Study Method | Quantitative |
| Implementer Requirement | Adults, Experts through lived experience, Peer consultants, Traditional helpers, Medicine people, Community laypeople, Family mentors, Tribal providers, K-12 school based programs, Professional educators, Higher education or postsecondary programs, Faith and spiritual communities, Veterans organizations, Juvenile justice systems, Law enforcement and first responders, Mental health providers, Medical providers (e.g. physicians, nurses) |
| Training Requirement | Yes |
| Delivery Options | In person, Virtual, Hybrid (a combination of in-person and virtual) |
| Topics | Improve community factors, Improve communication about suicide |
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