QPR Suicide Prevention Program
In November 2006, CAPS launched a major initiative on suicide prevention for the UM community. We know from research that early detection of mental health issues gives a much greater prognosis for recovery and that early intervention can sometimes be critical. This is why there is such an emphasis on "warning signs" and help-seeking behavior. CAPS believes that early detection of mental health issues is an important component of their work and that no student who wants or needs help should be left to struggle on their own. Therefore, CAPS has joined sixty other colleges and universities across the country in the "Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR)" nationally-recognized suicide prevention program.
Approximately 1100 suicides and 24,000 suicide attempts occur annually among US college students ages 18 to 24 (JAMA, 2006). This translates to a suicide rate of approximately 7.5 per 100,000 college students. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third leading cause of death after unintentional injuries and homicides in people aged 15 to 24 years in the United States.
Much like CPR, QPR is designed for an easy learning process and can be applied by everyone, including people outside of mental health professions. For years, CAPS staff has worked closely with our Division of Student Affairs colleagues, with academic units, with student groups and other mental health sites on campus and in Ann Arbor. These liaison relationships have worked to create an environment for students in which stigma is reduced about seeking help and in which faculty and staff can recognize the warning signs of students in distress and refer them for help. In short, we are trying to weave a "web of caring and support."
QPR is a behavioral intervention that focuses on getting a distressed individual/student referred for professional help. It is intended to teach front-line people (e.g. resident advisors, academic advisors, physicians, friends, religious professionals, faculty/staff, etc.) how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, including verbal, behavioral and situational clues. QPR provides direction as to how to Question a person about suicidal thoughts, how to Persuade them to get help and how to Refer the person for help.
CAPS staff members have completed the 8-hour QPR Gatekeeper Instructor Course and are now certified and licensed to provide Gatekeeper training to university staff and faculty interested in learning how to effectively deal with students in distress. Starting in November, CAPS will be offering these trainings to units and departments across campus.
For more information about the QPR program, please contact Dr. Christine Asidao, Assistant Director for Outreach and Education, at asidao@umich.edu.
To request a Gatekeeper training for your unit or department please click here to submit a QPR Request Form online.