QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Suicide Prevention Training

Parent Information

Ask A Question, Save A Life.

What is QPR Suicide Prevention Training

The QPR's mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in as little as one hour.

What is the purpose of QPR?

QPR is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment. QPR is intended to offer hope through positive action.

What will my child see in the presentation?

  • Myths and Facts about Suicide

  • Suicide clues and Warning signs

    • Direct verbal clues

    • Indirect verbal  clues

    • Behavioral clues

    • Situational clues

  • Tips and Examples of how to ask/Talk to someone who is suicidal or in crisis

    • Less direct approaches

    • More direct approaches

  • How not to ask the question

  • How to persuade someone to stay alive

    • How to offer hope

    • How to make a difference by listening

  • What to do if they don’t want help

    • Getting others involved (Trusted adults, school counselors, parents, teachers, etc.)

    • Staying with the person

    • Taking the person directly to someone who can help

  • Referral options

    • Taking the person directly to someone who can help

    • Getting a commitment from them to accept help or make arrangements

    • Give referral information or faith commitment not to complete or attempt suicide

  • Resources

    • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- 988

    • McHelp app for smartphones - McHenry County Mental Health Board

    • NAMI of McHenry County- 815-526-4250

    • 911 for life-threatening emergencies

    • Local police departments for well-being requests

    • Northwestern Medicine ER on Doty Road in Woodstock-
      1-800-765-9999, 24/hr

    • Amita Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health in Hoffman Estates- 24/7 free walk-in assessments-  800-432-5005

    • 211 in McHenry Resources, 24/7, at no cost

QPR Suicide Prevention training applies to anyone no matter your background. NAMI of McHenry County (NAMI MCH)  has trained over 3,000 students as young as 5th grade. Everyone has mental health, this training is not only designed to help someone who is suicidal, but it also applies to assist anyone struggling with mental health. When students apply QPR they plant seeds of hope. Hope helps prevent suicide.


Before we present QPR in schools teachers and administration staff are training first. Our students’ mental health is a priority, School Social Workers, Counselors, and NAMI MCH staff are available if students need additional support. We also recommend parents and guardians to take the training before students. Your child’s school has a QPR Suicide Prevention training scheduled for parents. When schools host a QPR Suicide Prevention training for parents, parents view the same presentation as students. This would help create a caring, genuine, transparent, and supportive conversation with your child. NAMI MCH also offers monthly virtual and in-person training at no cost to the community.

Please click here to see QPR dates open to the community.

Please contact contact education@namimch.org, if you have any questions or concerns.