QPR Training Equips Communities to Prevent Suicide

BURLESON, TEX. – In the primary service area for Texas Health Huguley Hospital and Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, 21.6 percent of adults experience depression. This rate surpasses both the state average of 18.4 percent and the national average of 19.6 percent.

Seeking professional help is essential, but individuals can also learn how to support those around them who are struggling with mental health and guide them toward professional care. One way to do this is through QPR (question, persuade, refer) training.

QPR training is an initiative designed to prevent suicides by teaching participants to recognize and respond to the warning signs. Texas Health Huguley Hospital offers this training to anyone interested in becoming a resource for their community.

“QPR is built to be community focused, community based and community driven,” said Robert Garza, behavioral health clinical manager at Texas Health Huguley. “Anyone can do it, and we teach them how to do it.”

Provided free of charge, with no prerequisites or qualifications required, QPR training is a highly accessible way to empower individuals to identify signs and symptoms, take appropriate action and refer people to the resources they need. At the end of each session, participants receive a QPR certification card.

“Anybody, anywhere, anytime—you’ll be able to immediately intervene and get that person the help they need right then and there without waiting,” said Joshua Brown, behavioral health administrator at Texas Health Huguley. “It really empowers them to be the action piece of the equation.”

To learn how to bring QPR training to your local church or community, contact Robert Garza at 817.568.3312 or Texas Health Huguley’s behavioral health services office at 817.568.5950.

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