HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals will host a session on Thursday, Oct. 24 for anyone who wants to learn how to recognize the warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide, and how to help them.
The training is called “Question, Persuade, Refer” – or QPR. Like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save a life. It is part of the hospitals’ 3D Community Health: Body.Mind.Spirit program.
The session will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in McDonald Hall at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, 2661 County Hwy I in Chippewa Falls. Advance registration is required and can be completed online at www.stjoeschipfalls.org/Events-Classes or by calling 715-717-7479.
“Suicide is very hard for most people to talk about,” said Laura Baalrud, director of Community Health at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “Through QPR training, we hope to open up the dialogue about mental health and suicidal feelings to help reduce the stigma that surrounds these subjects.”
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, as is HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. They are affiliates of Hospital Sisters Health System and have served western Wisconsin since 1885 and 1889, respectively.