Suicide Prevention

SOOAR is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting suicide prevention and supporting those who are struggling with mental health challenges. Our mission is to raise awareness, eliminate the stigma associated with suicide, and provide education, resources, and compassionate support. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out—you are not alone.

Q. P. R.

Question Persuaade Refer

Ask A Question, Save A Life

To inquire about Gatekeeper training, contact us

Continuing Education Credits are offered for all adult trainings through the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals. In order to qualify for full credit participants must attend each session in full and complete any required assignments, daily self-paced home(pre)work, and other task which will be provided prior to the beginning of class. Partial credit cannot be awarded. Missed days will need to be made up. All self-paced work must be completed and submitted by the end of the class.

What is QPR?

QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer

QPR is a simple, evidence-based strategy that anyone can learn to help save a life. Much like CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver helps in physical emergencies, QPR enables people to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, ask the right questions, offer hope, and refer someone to help. SOOAR offers this Gatekeeper training in as little as one hour.

Gatekeeper Role

A gatekeeper is someone who is in a position to notice when someone may be contemplating suicide. Gatekeepers can include parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, supervisors, first responders, caseworkers, and others who are in contact with people in their communities.

As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper, you will learn to:

Recognize warning signs of suicide
Ask someone directly about suicidal thoughts
Offer hope and support
Refer them to appropriate help or resources

How QPR Works (Like CPR)

Both QPR and CPR are part of what we call a Chain of Survival:

Early recognition of warning signs
Early intervention and referral to help (such as calling 988, talking to mental health professionals)
Timely follow-up care, which can prevent crisis escalation, hospitalization, or loss of life

Who Should Be Trained

We believe that every person can make a difference. Because suicides often occur in homes, at least one person in every household should be aware of how to respond. Training as a Gatekeeper empowers parents, teachers, peers, and friends alike to act when needed.

Training & Continuing Education Credits

All adult QPR trainings are certified by the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals.
To receive full Continuing Education Credits (CEUs), participants must attend all sessions, complete required assignments, and submit any home-study work. Missed sessions must be made up. Partial credit cannot be awarded.
Home-study and pre-work assignments will be provided before the training begins.