The Center for Health and Human Services
MTSU Mental Health Awareness Trainings
QPR (Question/Persuade/Refer) and Mental Health First Aid
As a part of its Mental Health Awareness Training grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Center for Health and Human Services at MTSU currently offers QPR Suicide Prevention Training as well as Mental Health First Aid.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
The QPR Mission To save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.
What does QPR mean? QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
For more information about QPR, go to https://qprinstitute.com/about-qpr
What is a Gatekeeper? According to the Surgeon General’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2001), a gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.
Gatekeepers can be anyone, but include parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, and many others who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide.
Get trained in QPR
Below you’ll find a list of our currently available QPR training sessions! Once you find one that works for you, go our registration page to sign up. Once you do, you will receive an email confirming your registration as well as a link to the pre-survey.
Please bookmark and check back frequently for additional trainings and announcements!
| Training Date | Training Time | Training Type |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 7, 2025 | 12pm – 1:30pm | In-person |
| Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 12pm – 1:30pm | In-person |
| Friday, March 21, 2025 | 12pm – 1:30pm | In-person |
For questions or to inquire about QPR training for your dept or class, contact us at lindad.williams@mtsu.edu with “MHFA Training” in the subject line.
Mental Health First Aid Training
MTSU Mental Health First Aid training program began in 2019 and came to an end in October 2021, after training over 1100 students, faculty, and staff in three years with over 1300 referrals to mental health services as a result of the training. We are pleased to continue this program on our campus as of January 2023.
Mental Health First Aid is a national evidence-based training program that teaches members of the general public how to help a person who is developing a mental health challenge, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health challenge or in a mental health crisis. This skills-based training covers mental health concerns such as: Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Suicide Prevention, Non-Suicidal Self Injury, Psychosis, Bipolar disorder, and Substance Use Disorder. Mental Health First Aid is intended to create a culture of mental health awareness by providing training on mental health conditions, information on mental health resources and information on services and resources available.
Become a Mental Health First Aider!
There are multiple course formats you may see available below:
- Blended Virtual – a combination of a 2-hour self-paced online module and a 6-hour live online classroom component
- Blended In-Person – a combination of a 2-hour self-paced online module and a 6-hour live in-person classroom component (usually on campus)
Get trained in Mental Health First Aid
Below you’ll find a list of our currently available MHFA training sessions! Once you find one that works for you, go our registration page to sign up. Once you do, you will receive an email confirming your registration as well as a link to the pre-survey. After completing this pre-survey, you will receive instructions either 2 weeks before the teacher-led session or in 1-2 business days if your session is within 2 weeks of your registration/finishing your pre-survey.
Please bookmark and check back frequently for additional trainings and announcements!
| Training Date | Training Time | Training Type |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 11, 2025 | 9am – 3pm | Blended, In-person |
| Monday, April 14, 2025 | 9am – 3pm | Blended, Virtual |
| Friday, April 18, 2025 LAST CLASS OF THE SEMESTER | 9am – 3pm | Blended, In-person |
For questions or to inquire about MHFA training for your dept or class, contact us at lindad.williams@mtsu.edu with “MHFA Training” in the subject line.
Be Well, Stay Healthy!
Self-Pay Option for Community Partners:
Unfortunately, MTSU CHHS MHFA is currently unable to offer a self-pay option. You can find trainings available in your area (or virtual ones available outside of it!) at the Mental Health First Aid website. If you wish to have a training session just for your organization, it may be worthwhile to use that tool and reach out to trainers listed as offering sessions in your locality.
Find us on Facebook at mtsu.chhs and Instagram at mtsu_chhs! Like, Share, Follow!
MHFA in the news!
January 2023 – MTSU CHHS receives funding to bring back Mental Health First Aid training to campus 2023 -2026.
May 10, 2019 – MTSU-CHHS staff appeared on WGNS Radio to share information about a new campus mental health training project, new sleep quality and positive aging consortiums and a special upcoming alumni event. Read the article or listen to the podcast by clicking here.
More news about CHHS-MHFA:
- Read the May 10, 2019, MT News article about Mental Health First Aid at MTSU!
- October 2018 media release.
Helpful Links & Resources
- Mental Health First Aid USA
- Question, Persuade, Refer
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Campus Service Providers
- MTSU Counseling and Testing Center
- MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
- MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center
- MTSU Student Health Services
