Helping Young People Through a Suicide Crisis With QPR
You notice a young person pulling away. A conversation takes an unexpected turn. Someone you care about says they feel like a burden. You want to help, but you worry about saying the wrong thing.
These moments can leave even the most caring adults unsure of what to do next. Suicide prevention education helps us prepare to respond with compassion and connect someone who is struggling with support.
At the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide (ICPYAS), we believe prevention deserves a place in everyday community life. QPR training offers a practical place to begin.
Turning concern into action
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. This training helps people recognize possible signs of a suicide crisis, ask directly about suicide, and connect someone with appropriate help. Parents, educators, coaches, caregivers, and other community members can learn these skills. QPR supports early intervention; it does not replace professional mental health care.
Learn about QPR from the QPR Institute
Warning signs can include talking about wanting to die, expressing hopelessness, withdrawing from others, or giving away meaningful possessions. Take changes seriously, especially when they are new or increasing. You do not need to know exactly what is happening before reaching out for guidance.
Recognizing concerns and helping someone — 988 Lifeline
Question with care and clarity
When you are concerned, asking directly can open an important conversation: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research shows that asking this question does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior. Give the young person time to respond, and listen without judgment.
Guidance on asking directly — National Institute of Mental Health
Persuade by helping someone accept support
In QPR, persuasion means encouraging someone to accept help. Acknowledge what they are sharing without debating their feelings or promising that everything will be fine. You might say, “I’m glad you told me. I care about you, and I want to help you connect with support.”
You do not have to solve every problem in that moment. Stay present, offer hope, and help them take the next step. Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts a secret; involve appropriate support.
Refer and help make the connection
Help the young person connect with a mental health professional, school counselor, or crisis counselor. Offer to make the call together. If there is immediate danger, call 911 and stay with them until help arrives, if you can do so safely. Help reduce access to dangerous items when it is safe to do so.
Support also continues after that first conversation. Following up lets a young person know that your concern was sincere and that they still have someone in their corner.
Steps for connecting someone with help and following up — NIMH
Make prevention part of your community
Imagine more adults in our schools, neighborhoods, and youth programs feeling prepared to respond when a young person needs help. Building that confidence takes intention, and training is one concrete step we can take together.
ICPYAS offers QPR Gatekeeper training to help individuals and communities build these skills. Visit our training page to explore opportunities or request a session for your organization. Make time now to learn how you can respond with care when it matters.
Explore prevention education training with ICPYAS
If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 in the United States, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also contact 988 if you are worried about someone else. If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911.