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QPR Suicide Prevention, Virtual Training with Certificate of Completion Held May 20th
“May Is Mental Health Awareness Month & QPR Suicide Prevention Training”
Since 1949, May Is Mental Health Awareness Month has aimed to eliminate mental health stigma, provide those in need with connection to mental health support resources, promote mental health education and advocacy, and call attention to the importance of helping individuals and families affected by mental illness so they can achieve well-being and acceptance.
To commemorate the month, the Howell Alliance is hosting a free virtual QPR suicide prevention training on Monday, 5-20-24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 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 then use the question, persuade, and refer strategies to assist someone with getting help. Pre-registration is necessary for participation: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrd-yopj8uGNHBTyhDNqOgwpU6bIhUM_vD.
Youth and young adults are not exempt from mental health disorders; in fact, many behavioral health experts warn that America is currently facing a youth mental health crisis. The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 2011-2021 reports that, in 2021, during the past year...
• 42% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that stopped them from doing their usual activities
• 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide
• 18% of high school students made a suicide plan
• 10% of high school students attempted suicide one or more times
To read the CDC's comprehensive Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRSB): 2011-2021 (the survey’s most recent edition that was released in February, 2023), visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/yrbs_data-summary-trends_report2023_508.pdf.
2NDFLOOR (888-222-2228) is a confidential, anonymous, 24/7 call/text helpline for NJ's youth and young adults ages 10 to 24. 2NDFLOOR's trained counselors are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help youth find solutions to the problems they face at home, at school, or at play.
The counselors are standing by to provide supportive listening, information and referrals for behavioral health services, and options to help youth address their concerns. Learn more about 2NDFLOOR's helpline, as well as information on cyberbullying, dating abuse, mental health, and sex/sexuality on their website https://www.2ndfloor.org/.
For the general population, the Crisis Text Line has crisis counselors available 24/7 and provides free mental health texting service for confidential crisis intervention. Just TEXT "HOME" TO 741741 to get started, or visit the Crisis Text Line's website for more information on mental health conditions and support resources: https://www.crisistextline.org/.
The Howell Alliance’s “Substance Use/Mental Health Support Services” web page (http://www.twp.howell.nj.us/540/Substance-UseMental-Health-Support-Servi) provides a comprehensive list of substance use/mental health support resources and local crisis interventions. The website also has a link to “Monmouth County Is Stigma-Free” on its home page.
For more information, contact the Howell Alliance at 732-938-4500 ext. 4012, or [email protected]. Follow the Friends of the Howell Alliance Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/howellalliancefriends for on-going posts on mental health, suicide prevention, substance use disorders, prevention and support resources, and community initiatives.
Event Links
Virtual: https://go.evvnt.com/2387044-0
