When it comes to recognizing a student in some form of distress, it is no surprise that university faculty and staff are often on the front line; observers to a student’s unusual or concerning behaviors in the classroom.

When this occurs, there is a need to get involved, but more often the doubt is about getting involved. The solution is QPR gatekeeper training.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — three simple steps that you 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 person in distress and possibly a suicidal crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. QPR is a simple educational program that teaches people how to recognize a mental health emergency and how to get a person at risk the help they need. It is also an action plan that can result in lives saved.

Quick Facts:

  • QPR has been on the UCF campus since spring 2007.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services has 10 QPR trainers on main campus, one at Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and one at the College of Medicine
  • To date, CAPS has trained over 6,000 students, staff and faculty as QPR gatekeepers
  • Out of a sample of 142 students/staff that completed the QPR training and the evaluation form in 2013-14:
  • 93% indicated that they “agree” or “strongly agree” that they “learned new skills or useful information from this presentation.”
  • 92% indicated that they “agree” or “strongly agree” that they “have more about the topic of suicide.”
  • 90% indicated that they “agree” or “strongly agree” that they “feel more comfortable to talk about suicidal thoughts/feelings with someone” that they are concerned about after completing the QPR training.

    • The QPR mission is to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training.  QPR training is also offered online for an one-hour session at: https://caps.sdes.ucf.edu/qpr/.

    If you are interested, in learning more about suicide prevention and QPR, contact Teresa Michaelson-Chmelir, CAPS at: Teresa.michaelson@ucf.edu or call 407.823.2811. CAPS is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.