KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — On Sunday, October 6, community members will gather for the annual Out of the Darkness Walk to prevent suicide. 

 This year Sullivan 180 invites you to arrive early for the walk and participate in a free QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department.  

QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer—the three steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Participants will enjoy light refreshments while being trained in QPR and have time to register and participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk, which steps off at 12 noon. People trained in QPR learn to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis; and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. 

“Just like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis that can save lives. I am so proud to train both facilitators and gatekeepers for our county’s suicide prevention program, QPR,” said Jill Holland, master QPR instructor and Sullivan 180 community health champion trainer. The more people trained in QPR the more lives saved.

“Besides this upcoming training, Sullivan 180 Community Health Champion Trainers are ready to bring QPR to workplaces, schools, fire departments, community centers and places of worship at no cost,” said Amanda Langseder, senior director of prevention programming at Sullivan 180.

“I never thought in a million years I might need to use the skills I learned in the class, but just two weeks later, I had a family member in crisis," said one QPR participant. "Because of the training, I was able to confidently ask them if they were thinking about suicide or hurting themself and support them to find the help they needed.”

All are welcome to join the fight to prevent suicide on October 6 by becoming trained in QPR at 9:30 a.m. at the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department and then participating in the suicide prevention walk starting at the Bethel Senior Center at 12 noon.

To register for the upcoming class or to bring this training to your group, email trainings@sullivan180.org or call 845/295-2680.

Sullivan 180 is working to build a healthy community, one degree at a time, through people, places and policy with support from Bold Gold Media Group, Manor Ink, The River Reporter, The Sullivan County Democrat and WJFF Radio Catskill. Learn more at  Sullivan180.org or Facebook.com/Sullivan180inc.