Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh, Monday, reminds area residents QPR training program in suicide
prevention is being offered in Anita, Tuesday night. “Question. Persuade. Refer.” (QPR) is a program delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach that teaches three simple steps to help save a life from suicide. QPR will be held Tuesday at the Anita Community Center (805 Main Street), from 6:00-7:30 PM. Cass County ISU Extension will be providing free pizza to attendees of the Anita event. The event is being hosted in partnership with Anita Public Library and Anita Healthy and Wellness Center.

Participants of in-person QPR sessions are encouraged to wear a face covering indoors, particularly if space is limited, crowds are large, or spaces are poorly ventilated.

Farmers and people from rural areas are at higher risk of death by suicide. Sue Riggs, a retired teacher from Atlantic married to a farmer, attended QPR training in Atlantic on February 14. Riggs commented, “The QPR program was really informative. I now know how important it is to ask someone if they are considering suicide and where to refer them for help.”

All QPR sessions in Cass County are being offered at no cost, thanks to a grant from the USDA-NIFA 2020-70028-32728 that provides this training for free for rural communities with large populations of farmers and agricultural related business. All adults in Cass County and surrounding areas are invited to attend a QPR program, especially those who work in agricultural areas, health care, mental health, government, schools, libraries, or anyone who has an interest in learning more about mental health and suicide prevention.

The next Question. Persuade. Refer. suicide prevention training in Cass County is in Griswold on Feb. 21st, from, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, at the Griswold Public Library (505 Main St., Griswold), and is being hosted in partnership with Griswold Public Library

Although not required, registration is appreciated. To register for a QPR session in Cass County visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/ or call Cass County ISU Extension at 712-243-1132.