City Of Stow: Free QPR Training Offered To City Of Stow Residents

Press release from the City of Stow:

2022-03-01

The City of Stow Mental Health Coalition is launching a new phase of its city-wide initiative, #YouMatter, designed to promote mental health awareness and acts of kindness among residents. The City of Stow Mental Health Coalition is a collaboration with the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools District, Holy Family School Stow, and several Summit County non-profit agencies comprised of community leaders and other local and regional stakeholders whose vision is to raise awareness of the rising number of suicides in Stow and surrounding communities. “I am proud of the work our team has done to support the #YouMatter initiative, and I truly believe this work will make a difference in our community,” stated Mayor Pribonic. “This collaboration will continue in 2022 with continued focus on education and awareness of important mental health and wellness topics.”

In April, the coalition is launching a free training program for suicide prevention, QPR: Question. Persuade. Refer. Three steps anyone can learn to prevent suicide. The QPR Institute states, “The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.” All City of Stow employees have received this training and all residents will be invited to attend free training sessions. Q.P.R. Question, Persuade, Refer is an evidence-based gatekeeper training used to help an individual in crisis. Similar to CPR, this skills-based training teaches us how to respond when someone is in distress, by asking the suicide question, persuading them to stay alive, and making a quality referral for help. The QPR training will be led by mental health professionals, offered for free, and is open to those 18+ years of age. Registration will be required and will open online March 1 for the 90 minute sessions. There will be 4 sessions offered on two evenings in April, three at the Stow-Munroe Falls High School on April 20 and one at Holy Family School Stow on April 25. Please register online at stowohio.recdesk.com/Community/Program or call 330-689-5100.

Visit https://stowohio.org/mental-health-resources/ for resources available for help if you are in crisis.

This press release was produced by the City of Stow. The views expressed here are the author’s own.