Veterinary professionals face unique challenges in their line of work, which often come with mental health strains. Recognizing this, the AVMA is proud to offer free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training to all members of the veterinary community. This essential training equips people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize signs of suicidal ideation, initiate life-saving conversations, and guide individuals toward professional help.
What is QPR?
QPR, also known as gatekeeper training, teaches three crucial steps to help prevent suicide:
Question: How to ask someone if they are considering suicide.
Persuade: How to encourage them to seek help.
Refer: How to connect them to professional support.
The training is conducted online and takes only about 60 minutes to complete, making it easily accessible for all veterinary professionals. You will learn how to recognize common causes of suicidal behavior, understand the warning signs, and help someone in crisis get the support they need.
Suicide Prevention Month & Resources
As we observe Suicide Prevention Month this September, it’s an important time to focus on mental health and ensure that you and your colleagues are equipped with the tools to make a difference. In addition to the QPR training, we encourage you to explore the wealth of mental health resources available on our website, azvma.org/wellbeing.
For more information and to access the free QPR training, visit bit.ly/avmaqprtraining and take this vital step in helping others during times of crisis.