Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is hosting a free suicide prevention course from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 20201 S. Crawford Ave. in Olympia Fields.
The entry level Question, Persuade and Refer or QPR Suicide Prevention Course, is based on curriculum developed by the QPR Institute. The course aims to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with one suicide taking place every 11 minutes. The suicide rate reached its highest point since 1941 in 2022, with nearly 50,000 Americans taking their own lives.
In Illinois, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths each year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. For young Illinois adults aged 15-34, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
According to the QPR Institute, just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.
The course is free, but registration is required. Contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Coordinator Justin Davis at [email protected] or 708-855-7692 to register.
Please note: If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
