Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty, Staff and Students

Counseling Services is launching a new suicide prevention training program called “Question, Persuade and Refer” (QPR). The goal is to help teach faculty, staff and student groups effective, timely intervention strategies to assist a student in distress.

QPR: The CPR for Mental Health Emergencies
With QPR, you learn how to ask the right questions in order to critically assist a student in distress. These 3 simple steps can help save a life.

The QPR curriculum helps to educate the campus community on:

• Early recognition of suicidal warning signs
• Early intervention strategies on how to: Question, Persuade and Refer a student in distress to help in a timely manner
• Identification of the helpful resources on campus and in the community to expedite care and effective response

How to Request Training
Training is available for the entire JWU community. Interested groups can complete the QPR training request form (50K doc) and email it to Counseling Services.

When sending your request, please provide at least 3 weeks' advance notice.

Each interactive 2-hour training session includes the QPR core curriculum, video, roleplay and discussion. QPR Booklets will be provided to each participant.

If you have any questions, contact Counseling Services’ QPR coordinator, Jean Russell LICSW, at 401-598-1016.

Sponsorship
QPR is a nationally recognized and empirically-based suicide prevention program that colleges and universities across the country have embraced.

Counseling Services and core Student Affairs leaders, faculty and staff have been trained as Gatekeepers in QPR Suicide Prevention. Our goal is to expand the JWU culture of student care and connection and to maximize student wellness & success.

As we continue to launch QPR, the response has been overwhelmingly favorable. More than 95% of attendees stated that they would recommend QPR training to others.

JWU’s QPR program is sponsored by Student Affairs, the CARE Team and Counseling Services.

JWU QPR Certified Trainers
Joe Barresi, PhD, associate dean, Counseling, Health and Wellness
Jean Russell, LICSW, clinical counselor, Counseling Services
Maureen Minarik, PhD, clinical staff psychologist, Counseling Services
Melany Tromba, PsyD, clinical staff psychologist, Counseling Services
Officer Scott Emby, Safety and Security
Chris Zacharda, EdD, associate dean, Student Life
Dameian Slocum, associate dean, Student Development
Scott Lyons, director, Student Activities
Katie Gilbertson, director, International Student Services
Michaela DeCataldo, associate professor, Social Sciences