Scott Payne of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, or TSPN, will offer a free one-hour gatekeeper training program for all who want to learn more about suicide prevention on Saturday, August 22, at Grace Lutheran Church. The church is located at 131 West Gettysburg Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The presentation, which is titled “Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Behavior,” will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. Free child care will be provided.

The training is appropriate for anyone who may come in contact with a person who is having suicidal thoughts and wants to help that person choose life, a press release said.

In information provided by Payne, he noted that the training is a customized version of the evidence-based, best practice “Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)” suicide prevention training and that it will enhance each participant’s awareness of their values, attitudes, and beliefs regarding suicide. [Read more…]