The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 4, 2012

Training to help middle, high school counselors halt suicides

By Phyllis Zorn, Staff Writer Enid News & Eagle

ENID, Okla. — Area middle school and high school counselors can get training in suicide intervention in February, thanks to a venture grant from United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma.

Northern Oklahoma College’s Counseling and Career Services Department was awarded a $3,000 Venture Grant to help provide the training seminar for area school counselors.

“The grant will help provide 10 area counselors with QPR suicide prevention training,” said Steve Glazier, director of counseling services for NOC. “QPR, or Question, Persuade and Refer, is an evidence-based and international award-winning suicide prevention training model. The essence of the QPR program is to provide short-term mental health triage training so individuals at risk can then be referred to qualified professionals.”

Glazier said the counselors who get QPR training can, in turn, teach the method to others.

“Upon completion of the training, we hope the area counselors will, in turn, be able to provide faculty, staff, students, parents and community partners with a one- to two-hour QPR Gatekeeper training session,” Glazier said. “Teaching our citizens that suicide is preventable and giving them the tools to help be a part of the solution is critical to preventing suicide among the youth in northern Oklahoma.”

“It is vitally important that NOC is actively engaged in regard to the needs of the local community on a variety of issues,” said Cheryl Evans, NOC president. “This grant will help increase the capacity of community members that are trained and can provide the life-saving services that the QPR program provides.”

Training is scheduled 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at NOC Enid. The application deadline is Nov. 23. For more information, or to apply for seminar, contact Glazier at Northern Oklahoma College Enid, 100 University Ave., Enid, OK 73701, or (580) 548-2309, or stephen.glazier@north-ok.edu.

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