Kevin Hines poses with WCS students following a convocation where he shared his personal story on overcoming mental health adversity.

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools will host a free, public Suicide Prevention QPR Gatekeeper Training event on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 1 Administration Drive, Warsaw.

There will be two opportunities to attend the free two-hour training. The first training will be held from 8 to 10 a.m., and the second will be from 1 to 3 p.m. For licensed mental health professionals, CEUs will be provided. This training will further equip the community with the ability to respond to an individual potentially in a mental health crisis. The event is made possible through a partnership with the Bowen Center Training Institute and K21 Health Foundation, according to a news release from the school system.

QPR stands for “question, persuade and refer” — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Each year, thousands of Americans are saying “yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling or neighbor.

Key components covered during the training will include 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; and how to get help for someone in crisis. As a QPR-trained “gatekeeper,” learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope and know-how to help save a life.

Warsaw Community Schools kicked off its 2019-20 school year with a pledge. This pledge, like all goals of the district, was to enrich the lives of students and staff, equipping them with the wellness of mind and body to further reach for their dreams.

The announcement comes just weeks after filmmaker and mental health advocate Kevin Hines shared his personal story of about his own struggles with suicide. While in Warsaw, Hines spoke to all WCS students in grades 7-12, 800 Grace College students, 189 community members during a daytime event and 63 parent and community members during an evening event.

Throughout the 2019-20 school year, WCS has committed itself to pursue mental and physical health and wellness within the community. This response led WCS to begin training all staff within the district on how to respond and help a person contemplating suicide. After hosting several training sessions and hearing feedback from staff, WCS realized the need to expand this curriculum beyond its own walls and into the community.