SF Counseling Center Holding QPR Training Events This Month

September 13, 2021

September 14, 2021 – According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), One in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reports that suicide is the 10 leading cause of death in the US. In 2019, there were 47,511 that died by suicide with a total of 1.38 million suicide attempts. Each and every suicide is devastating and has a profound impact on those around them. However, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world.

The reality of the situation is that suicide is a very real problem. The good news is that it's highly preventable too. In recognition of September as National Suicide Prevention Month, the Santa Fe College Counseling Center staff encourage all students, faculty, and staff to become educated on this topic and on ways to make a difference. Both AFSP and IASP offer information, resources, and ways to get involved to help spread the word about this important topic.

As part of its mission to foster the personal, emotional and academic well-being of students and to help them reach their full potential, the staff at the SF Counseling Center are offering a number of QPR Suicide Prevention trainings during September. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training is designed to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training to faculty, staff, and students. QPR provides the knowledge to recognize warning signs so that you can help save a life. All students, faculty and staff are invited to contact the Counseling Center at 352-395-5508 to sign up for one of the Zoom trainings on the dates below. If you would like to schedule a QPR training for your club, student organization, department, or staff, please contact steven.vutsinas@sfcollege.edu.

• 11 a.m.-noon on Tuesday 9/14/21
• 11 a.m.-noon on Thursday 9/16/21
• 1-2 p.m. on Monday 9/20/21
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesday 9/29/21

Suicide Prevention Month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote actions that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally. Please don't hesitate to get involved, make a difference, and save a life.

If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please use and share the resources below. The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday to see student walk-ins and appointments by Zoom and in person. It's located in R-227 on the Northwest Campus.

Resources

• Alachua County Crisis Center: 352-264-6789
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline for Hearing Impaired Individuals (TTY): 800-799-4889
• Video Relay Service: 800-273-8255
• De Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
• Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 (Press 1)
• The Trevor Project Crisis and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ youth: 1-866-488-7386
• https://www.sfcollege.edu/counseling/suicide-prevention/index
• https://www.iasp.info/wspd2021/