Question - Persuade - Refer

By Abigail (Abby) Burd, MSW, LCSW, QPR Instructor

Every week is Suicide Prevention Week in my book. 

But this week is an opportunity to join the national message that we can all help save a life. You don't need to be a mental health professional to help someone.

Here is one recent example. Patricia, a MiraCosta student working as a Peer Educator in Health Services, recently encountered a student on campus who was struggling. As a nursing student, she had previously done a QPR training, and was confident in using these three steps:

Q: Question. She asked the student if they were having thoughts of suicide. The student said yes.

P: Persuade. She encouraged the student to talk to a mental health counselor.

R: Refer. She brought the student to Health Services, where a drop in counselor was able to have an immediate session and create a safety plan.

Are you interested in taking a QPR training? 

The two full time Mental Health Counselors in Health Services are certified QPR trainers and have started training 56 members of our campus community, including staff, faculty, and student leaders, such as the Peer Educators.

Many thanks to our partners at the San Diego Community Health Improvement Partners' Suicide Prevention Council and the County of San Diego Health and Human Services for partnering in our certification.

Want to learn more about QPR? 

Watch this short (1:10 minute) video: 

The Health Services Peer Educators have been raising awareness on campus with activities to help prevent suicide prevention. Much of this effort has been led by our returning Peer Educator, Britanny, who has made blue and purple ribbons, created videos and encouraged all to save the following numbers in their phone.

San Diego Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240
Crisis Text Line: text "COURAGE" to 741-741

Why don't you save them in your phone, now?