(LAGRANGE) – Parkview LaGrange Hospital is offering free suicide prevention training to the community.

Virtual classes will be available through the end of the year. Trainers from the hospital will teach QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Any adult can learn QPR in a few hours and become prepared to recognize the signs of someone at risk of suicide, offer hope and connect that person to the care that is needed.

Dr. Rhonda Sharp with Parkview Physicians Group Family Medicine says those trained in QPR know how to recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis and also save lives during a mental health emergency. Sharp says they want the public to have the tools they need to respond when a friend, family member, co-worker or anyone else they know needs help.

Virtual classes will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 PM on the following Thursdays: April 8, May 6, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 7, November 4 and December 9.

The virtual training sessions are open to anyone 18 and older. To participate you will have to have access to a computer, tablet or smart phone with the free app Microsoft Teams.

Registration is required at least three days prior to the preferred training date, and capacity is limited. To register visit LINKA.