Mental health at work: more about qpr training
Last week, we shared the high costs of mental health issues to the workplace, estimated at $360 billion per year, primarily through absenteeism and lost productivity. Whether workers are suffering from their own mental health conditions or those of their children, they are bringing their challenges to work. Identifying the warning signs can help prevent a “challenge” from escalating to a “crisis.”
That’s why our Employer Best Practices team is hosting a free QPR training on May 9, 8-10 AM, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer and is intended for gatekeepers.
Gatekeepers can be anyone, but include parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (QPR Institute | Practical and Proven Suicide Prevention Training QPR Institute.)
It is likened to CPR training as it is an emergency medical intervention for “laymen.” It is not a form of counseling or treatment. It is a compassionate approach to identify people in trouble and help them find the appropriate professional attention. It teaches early warning signs of mental health conditions and highlights first-level intervention skills. In this 90-minute certification training, participants will learn:
How to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone who may be suicidal
How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide
The common causes of suicidal behavior
The warning signs of suicide
How to get help for someone in crisis
Professionals from 1N5, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, will lead our session. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is sponsoring the event as an initiative of the NKY Works Employer Best Practices team. It’s open to all participants at no charge. You can register and share the information with your colleagues here.
Please note. Individuals who have experienced suicide on a personal level can find the training triggering. The session leaders are aware of this possibility and are equipped to provide individual support to all participants.
The Employer Best Practices team is one of NKY Works' five focus areas, along with: Early Childhood Education, Career Readiness, Work-Ready Adults, and Regional Talent Attraction and Promotion.
The five focus areas of NKY Works
We invite you to join one of our teams. Or, if your business is experiencing specific workforce challenges, NKY Works can help. We can connect you to various resources to address your particular needs. Reach out to us at 859.657.WRKS (9757) or NKYWorks@NKADD.org.