Suicide Prevention and Narcan Training (In-Person)

Chances are you’re familiar with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), a well-established emergency procedure used to save lives when a person is in cardiac arrest. But have you ever heard of QPR? QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention is an educational program that can be completed in one hour and is designed to teach lay and professional "gatekeepers" the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to offer hope and take action.  What’s really interesting about this approach is that you don’t have to be a mental health professional to use it. The term “gatekeeper” refers to anyone who may benefit from learning how to use QPR to intervene to stop a suicide such as parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, caseworkers, police officers, etc. The process follows three steps: (1) Question the individual's desire or intent regarding suicide, (2) Persuade the person to seek and accept help, and (3) Refer the person to appropriate resources. Trainees receive a QPR booklet and wallet card as a review and resource tool that includes local referral resources.

The training would be delivered in person by a certified QPR gatekeeper instructor, likely by Kelly Waterhouse, West Hartford Social Services Social Worker. Although the foundation for the QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention is the same for all audiences, the training can be customized for use with specific audiences in collaboration with the QPR Institute. Specialized modules exist for various frontline practitioners (e.g. law enforcement, first responders, youth, medical professionals, corrections, individuals who work with veterans, and others). Courses would be offered in person with no more than 40 people at a time and allows for Q & A. 

In 2012, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center designated this intervention as a “program with evidence of effectiveness” based on its inclusion in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP).

Kelly Waterhouse is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).  She graduated from Western New England University with her Bachelor’s in Integrated Liberal Studies and obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Springfield College.  She is a Social Worker for The Town of West Hartford Social Services Department.  Her area of specialty is working with youth and families.  Some of her responsibilities include overseeing the West Hartford Juvenile Review Board, Family With Service Needs, and Truancy referrals.  She works very closely with The Bridge Family Center which is the Town’s contracted Youth Services Bureau.  Kelly has also been serving as the Coordinator for the West Hartford Prevention Partnership which helps assess the substance use and mental health needs of our community, applies for and manages prevention-related grants, and works proactively on the implementation of prevention strategies.   Prior to her role in West Hartford, Kelly was the Counseling Coordinator at East Hartford Youth Services for 8 years and has over 18 years of experience working with youth and families. She loves sharing information and resources with families and supervising student interns in their field placements.  Kelly has been a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor for over 8 years and has trained hundreds of staff, youth, and families as QPR Gatekeepers in the community.  Kelly often starts her day at 4:30 am with an early morning workout, and loves cooking, coaching youth soccer, the outdoors, and spending time with her family.