Summary：**Fairfax County Launches QPR Suicide Prevention Training to Save Lives****Introduction** Fairfax C

**Fairfax County Launches QPR Suicide Prevention Training to Save Lives**

**Introduction**
Fairfax County officials announced this week a new initiative aimed at curbing rising suicide rates across the region. The program, based on the nationally recognized QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) model, will be rolled out to schools, workplaces, and faith‑based organizations beginning next month. County leaders say the training equips ordinary residents with simple, actionable steps to intervene when someone shows signs of suicidal thinking.

**Key Developments**
The rollout follows a 12‑percent increase in suicide‑related emergency calls reported by the Fairfax County Police Department over the past two years. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services partnered with the Virginia Suicide Prevention Coalition to adapt QPR materials for local demographics. Training sessions will be free, last approximately 90 minutes, and include role‑playing scenarios, handouts, and a certification badge for participants. Initial pilot groups—comprising teachers from Fairfax County Public Schools and staff at several nonprofit shelters—reported a 78 percent confidence increase in their ability to ask direct questions about suicide and to guide individuals toward professional help.

**Industry Analysis**
Mental health experts note that gatekeeper training like QPR fills a critical gap left by limited access to clinical services. “Most people who die by suicide have interacted with a friend, coworker, or family member in the weeks before their death,” says Dr. Lena Martinez, a clinical psychologist at George Washington University. “Empowering those everyday contacts to‑and‑creates a broader than traditional therapy. Compared to more than doubles the likelihood of early intervention.” Compared to broader awareness campaigns, QPR’s focus on concrete behaviors—asking about suicidal intent, persuading the person to seek help, and referring them to appropriate resources—has shown higher retention rates in follow‑up studies. The county’s decision to embed the program within existing community infrastructures mirrors successful models in Oregon and Utah, where suicide rates dropped by 15‑20 percent within three years of widespread QPR adoption.

**Future Outlook**
Fairfax County plans to evaluate the program’s impact through quarter