Counseling
QPR: Suicide Prevention and Education Program
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds in the United States and the second leading cause of death among college age students. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are even more common. The Counseling Center's Suicide Prevention and Education program is a campus-wide outreach and education program focused on the prevention of suicide.
QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer
The program model uses the QPR (for Question, Persuade and Refer) curriculum, nationally recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations as a "Best Practices" program.
- The training is a 1 ½ hour interactive presentation incorporating the basic QPR core curriculum, interactive case study and opportunity for questions and discussion.
- Informational handouts will be provided to program participants designed to be useful to participants in both their work and personal lives.
- The QPR presentation and materials are cost free. The program is sponsored by a grant from the Division of Student Affairs Family Fund.
Training for Campus "Gatekeepers"
The program goal is to train "Gatekeepers" (faculty, staff, and students) in how to effectively recognize and refer persons in distress to campus and community resources.
- A Gatekeeper is in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.
- Gatekeepers learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to apply three steps (question, persuade, and refer) with individuals in distress.
Requesting a QPR Gatekeeper Training
We would like to present this program to faculty, staff, students, and organizations across the University of Florida campus and can arrange the training at a time and place convenient for your group. To schedule a date or ask questions about the QPR training, please call the Counseling Center at 352-392-1575 and ask to speak with Dr. Natalie Indelicato or Dr. Wayne Griffin.
Consultation Services
Faculty, staff, parents, friends, and other concerned individuals can consult with the counselor on-duty if they believe a student is in distress and they are uncertain how to help. If you have concerns about a student's emotional well-being or behavioral changes and are unsure of how to discuss your concerns with the student or you have discussed your concerns with the student and he/she is unwilling to seek professional help, we encourage you to consult with a Counseling Center staff member by calling 352-392-1575. Additionally, there are a number of resources on our website including helping someone in a Suicidal Crisis and Center Crisis Services.