Upper Arlington will host a free suicide prevention training on Sept. 21 at the Bob Crane Community Center, teaching residents how to recognize warning signs and connect someone in crisis with help.
The city's announcement describes the 90-minute session as a QPR training. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, a three-step method for responding when someone may be considering suicide. The session runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 3200 Tremont Road. Registration is open at parks.uaoh.net under program number 444315.
What QPR teaches
The QPR Institute calls the approach an emergency mental health intervention created in 1995 by Paul Quinnett. It is the most widely taught gatekeeper training in the world, according to the institute. A "gatekeeper" can be anyone positioned to notice when someone is in crisis: a parent, neighbor, teacher, coach or coworker.
Participants will learn how to spot warning signs of suicide, how to talk with someone who may be struggling and how to connect that person with professional resources.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The training falls during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which grew out of World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10. The day was established by the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
The city listed three goals for the month: encouraging open conversations about mental health, highlighting resources for individuals and families, and educating the public on warning signs.
Local crisis support year-round
Upper Arlington already offers year-round help through its UA CARES program, short for Community Assistance, Referrals and Education Services. UA CARES has operated since 2018, connecting individuals and families with support during times of crisis.
In 2025, the program added a dedicated social worker, Nate Hall, who holds monthly office hours at the Bob Crane Community Center's Public Safety Office, according to the city's fire division annual report. The community center opened April 6, 2025, and spans more than 165,000 square feet across five floors at 3200 Tremont Road.
Upcoming
- Monday, Sept. 21, 5-6:30 p.m. — Free QPR suicide prevention training, Bob Crane Community Center, 3200 Tremont Road. Register at parks.uaoh.net (program 444315).
- Monthly — UA CARES social worker Nate Hall holds office hours at the Bob Crane Community Center's Public Safety Office. Contact the center for scheduling.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
