MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Health Department is currently offering the chance for worksites, organizations and community members to take part in a training virtually using the evidence-based “Question, Persuade Refer” suicide prevention gatekeeping training in response to group restrictions due to COVID-19.

Intereste agencies, organizations and community members are urged to contact Health Educator, Co-Chair of the Marquette County Suicide Prevention Alliance Sarah Derwin to set up a QPR training at 906-315-2621 or sderwin@mqtco.org. Community members without access to internet can contact the Health Department to have suicide prevention materials mailed to them directly.

“We know that in times of national crisis, certain risk factors for suicide may increase in intensity. We are pleased to be able to quickly and meet training needs of those in our community,” Derwin said in a press release.

The training is usually delivered in-person in a group setting, but the national QPR Institute will temporarily allow licensed trainers to deliver the training in a live, on-line format and distribute training materials over email.

Derwin urged that if outlets choose to report on suicide, it is helpful on every reported piece to include the National Lifeline number 800-273-TALK and the lcal Crisis Center, Dial Help’s Information at 800-562-7622.