Learn to Prevent Suicides At Regional Health Department Class

SIMSBURY/CANTON, CT — A regional health department is hosting a special program next week that could help save lives and registrants are being sought until Thursday, March 28.

The Canton-based Farmington Valley Health District serves the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, and Simsbury.

On Tuesday, April 2, it is hosting a "QPR Gatekeeper Course" that also includes Narcan training at Simsury High School, 34 Farms Village Road, Simsbury, Room D172, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The free course requires registration, with the deadline to register being Thursday, March 28.

QPR is an acronym for "question, persuade adn refer" and it is a key technique to help someone who is thinking of committing suicide.

At the event next week, FVHD mental health first aid instructor Justine Ginsberg, a nurse, will discuss and teach participants to learn about QPR and handling mental health crises.

The program will teach participants to recognize suicide's warning signs; offer hope to those in trouble; and how to get help to people in such a scenario.

In addition, the course will teach participants how to administer Narcan, a life-saving nasal drug that can reverse an opioid overdose.

While anyone can take the course, the program is especially helpful for parents, caregivers, veterans, educators, teenagers or, simply, "compassionate humans," according to an announcement.

To sign up for the program, click on this link by Thursday, March 28.