2019-09-10
This World Suicide Prevention Day Canberrans are being urged to undertake a free online course that will help them to identify the warning signs of suicide crisis and equip them on how to respond.
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer – the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life. QPR is a 60-minute online training program designed for people over the age of 18 to learn more about the warnings signs and behaviours of someone who may be suicidal, common myths and misconceptions about suicide, how to ask someone whether they are experiencing suicidal ideation, and how to persuade someone to stay alive.
It is part of a suite of evidence-based initiatives the ACT Government and Capital Health Network are funding through a commitment to the Black Dog Institute’s LifeSpan Integrated Suicide Prevention Framework.
Minister for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury said every death from suicide is one too many.
“Suicide is an important issue that as a community we need to tackle together,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“It is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44 years, and the second leading cause for those aged 45 to 54 years. It is also an issue that affects so many in our community, from individuals, to families, to workplaces.
“This World Suicide Prevention Day I am urging Canberrans to become a QPR champion for our community – just like knowing CPR, it may help you save a life.
“While there are never any guarantees about how to stop someone taking their own life, what we can do is educate ourselves about how to pick up on the signs and to ask the right questions. And encourage people to make contact with the right services.
“Since QPR training became available in 2018, over 500 Canberrans have already undertaken the training.
“We want to see this number continue to grow, so for those who have completed the training, we also encourage them to become a QPR champion by telling their mates about it.”
QPR training provides people with:
- knowledge and skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal,
- confidence to talk to someone about suicidal thoughts, and
- an understanding of how to connect someone to professional care.
The Capital Health Network, through the Primary Health Network Mental Health Program, is a partner in co-funding of the LifeSpan Integrated Suicide Prevention Framework in the ACT.
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