WashU coming together to care for one another.

Suicide prevention training 

Encourages the community to take an active role in creating a healthy and safe campus for everyone 
Increases awareness of warning signs of suicide 
Reduces stigma about mental health 
Empowers people to get help for someone in crisis 

Washington University offers two free evidence-based trainings: Question Persuade Refer (QPR) and Kognito, for faculty, staff, and students. QPR and Kognito are both offered as online training. QPR is also available as an in-person training for groups.

If you prefer, you may request an in-person QPR training for your group.

Access and complete the online trainings 

QPR Online Gatekeeper training for faculty, staff and students 

Key components covered in the training 

How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal 
How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide 
The common causes of suicidal behavior 
The warning signs of suicide 
How to get help for someone in crisis 

Instructions for QPR Online training (45 minutes) 

  1. Navigate to the QPR Institute 
  2. Enter the organization code WUSTL 
  3. Select Create Account 
  4. Complete and submit registration form 
  5. QPR will display and email the newly created Username and Password. 
  6. Log in to begin training at The QPR Institute’s Gatekeeper Training 

Kognito Online training for faculty, staff and students 

With Kognito you learn how to best support a student or peer struggling with mental health. Kognito’s online interactive training will help build your awareness, knowledge, skills and confidence talking about mental health concerns and how to direct students toward resources on campus. 

  • For Faculty and Staff: 45-min. training
    • Learn the signs of psychological distress, practice talking with 3 unique virtual students, and learn techniques for referring them to counseling services.
  • For students – 30-min. training
    • Learn signs of psychological distress
    • Effective techniques in approaching a peer who has shown signs of distress
    • Through a simulation, learn how to check-in with a friend, educate them about available support services and encourage them to get a consultation

Instructions for Kognito online training

  1. Visit Kognito for Washington University 
  2. Click on Create an Account (Returning users can enter their login credentials) 
  3. Complete registration by agreeing to the “Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy” 
  4. After registration is completed, users will login with their credentials and answer the demographic questions 
  5. Select Launch to begin your Kognito simulation 

Note: To complete your training, please finish all required simulation content and using the orange next button, complete the post-survey.  Once completed, you will see a green button on your home screen that says Completed. 

 

Mental Health resources for students

Mental Health resources for faculty and staff 

Mental Health-Human Resources  
988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 anytime, anywhere 
Resources for working with students in distress: The Red Folder Project