Name: PDC - Mental Wellness and QPR
Start: 2021-01-20T09:00:00-08:00
End: 2021-01-20T12:00:00-08:00

PDC Mental Wellness + QPR
January 20, 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

ASSP Columbia-Willamette Chapter Winter 2021 PDC

Mental Wellness and QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer)

Wed., January 20, 2020 from 9 AM – noon via Zoom

This three-hour course is offered at no-cost, and will be taught in two parts: Part 1: Mental Wellness, and Part 2: QPR. Each attendee will receive certificate of completion for the QPR portion of the class and ASSP Continuing Education Units (have been requested by ASSP). The course will be taught by Columbia Willamette ASSP Member Steven Frost. There is no cost but pre-registration is required.

Register via Zoom

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 20, 2021 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

PDC Learning Objectives

Gain an understanding of tools that can be used to maintain physical and mental well-being.
Understand self-awareness and how situational reactions can affect people.
Identify and learn how to access resources that promote a proactive approach to health and mental well-being.
Provide available resources for the workforce in response to concerns expressed by coworkers.
Destigmatize taking actions to inquire about and receive mental well-being and suicide prevention resources.

About QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention

This course, offered as Part 2 of the PDC, is a brief educational program designed to teach “gatekeepers”– those who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e. g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, case workers, police officers)– the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond by following three steps: 1) Question the individual’s desire or intent regarding suicide; 2) Persuade the person to seek and accept help, and 3) Refer the person to appropriate resources. The 1- to 2- hour training is delivered by certified instructors in person or online, and it covers (1) the epidemiology of suicide and current statistics, as well as myths and misconceptions about suicide and suicide prevention; (2) general warning signs of suicide; and (3) the three target gatekeeper skills (i.e., question, persuade, refer). Once trained, the participants, or gatekeepers, receive a booklet that contains an overview of the didactic presentation and a review of the gatekeeper role. Wallet cards also are distributed for use as a review and resource tool, with prompts to recall the gatekeeper skills emphasized in the training and information about local referral resources.

Key components covered in QPR Training:

How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal
How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide
The common causes of suicidal behavior
The warning signs of suicide
How to get help for someone in crisis

About the Instructor

Steve Frost joined the construction safety world after going back to school at the age of 25 and obtaining a Master’s in Environmental Studies. He also obtained a certification in Construction Management and is a LEED AP BD+C, CHST, ASP, and CSP. In 2017, he joined Howard S. Wright as a Safety Manager for the Portland area. Over his career, he has made many contributions to local training programs. One area in particular that Steve felt drawn to is mental health and the impacts to the construction industry. Construction is the second highest at-risk occupation group that sees mental health issues; many of which lead to suicide. So, Steve has made it his mission to help reverse that statistic.

“If we’re not talking about it, people aren’t going to say anything about it,” Steve explains. “They don’t think they will have someone there that they can talk to. Through my jobsite orientations, they understand that I’m here to listen, and we also have the resources available if you’re in a crisis moment.”

Many people and organizations may feel that they want to do something with suicide prevention but do not have a framework for launching a program. Creating a culture where people listen and are prepared to start the conversation, can help save lives. Since his journey began, Steve has introduced and shared a suicide prevention program that he presented here in October. He has now created a well-being module that incorporates tools and resources that the construction industry can use to bolster their physical and mental well-being. Steve also became a Question Persuade Refer (QPR) instructor and has since begun to provide this evidence based training at no cost to organizations. He has also contributed a construction specific QPR module to the QPR Institute which is available to all of the QPR trainers. He will deliver this module as a second segment of this course. Steve believes that we can drive down both injury and suicide rates in Construction by focusing on physical and mental well-being. “By providing a culture of care and concern, we can support the workforce to gain their buy-in and also train and strenghten our industry so we are safer both on and off the jobsite.”

Register via Zoom

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 20, 2021 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.