Leyington Offers Online Suicide Prevention Training Amid National Awareness Month

Lexington, Ky. — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, prompting UK HealthCare to provide online suicide prevention training that anyone can access. This initiative aims to equip individuals with a three-step process known as QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer, enabling them to potentially save lives.

More than 800,000 people die by suicide each year, with Kentucky notably experiencing suicide as the second leading cause of death among those aged 10-34. In light of these alarming statistics, mental health professionals emphasize the critical role that community members can play in prevention.

Dr. Lindsey Jasinski, a psychologist at UK HealthCare, emphasizes that anyone can act as a first responder in suicide situations, similar to how laypeople can perform CPR. “You don’t have to be a medical professional to intervene and make a difference,” Dr. Jasinski stated, highlighting the accessibility of the QPR method.

Furthermore, she addresses a common misconception: “A lot of people believe that asking someone if they are suicidal will put that thought in their head. QPR really helps dispel that myth,” she explained. Instead, she advocates for open and direct conversation about mental health concerns.

UK HealthCare launched this online training as part of its Healthy Kentucky Initiative. Dr. Sarah Geegan from UK’s College of Communication and Information emphasizes the importance of knowledge. “Knowledge is power, and the more we inform people about this resource, the closer we get to building a better future for Kentucky,” she stated.

The online course is free, takes less than an hour to complete, and is easy to join. Participants will gain essential tools and knowledge to intervene effectively in potential suicide situations. Upon completion, individuals can print their QPR Gatekeeper Certificate as recognition of their training.

For those interested in participating in this training, registration can be completed online, guiding users step-by-step through the course.