Talking about suicide can be uncomfortable — and it can be even more unsettling to ask a person if they’re thinking about suicide. But there’s now a class available to help you have these difficult, but critical, conversations with loved ones.

QPR is like CPR for mental health. QPR is the acronym for Question, Persuade, and Refer. QPR is meant as a conversation to help recognize the need for help and to share hope with someone who is thinking about suicide.

Most people are familiar with CPR — short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It's an emergency medical intervention designed to stabilize people who aren’t breathing (and who may be in cardiac arrest) until the person can reach a hospital or receive other care.

Similarly, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention for a person thinking about suicide. The intent of QPR is also to identify and interrupt the crisis and direct that person to the proper care. Both CPR and QPR are designed to increase the chance of survival in the event of a crisis.

QPR classes teach you how to approach and have a conversation with someone who may be thinking about suicide. What you learn at these classes can help you recognize when a loved one is in crisis and know how to get help.

All Intermountain Healthcare hospitals throughout the state offer QPR classes. Register or learn more at utahsuicideprevention.org and click on Education and Training. Intermountain QPR classes are listed there.

Here are the three principles of how QPR can potentially help you save a life.

1. Question

Asking is tough. But the best way to find out if a loved one is thinking about ending their life is to ask them. It’s important not to be vague, but to say, “Are you thinking of suicide or wanting to end your life?”

Experts say there’s a myth that if someone asks the question, it will make the person consider it more. Asking the question will not cause a person to hurt or kill themselves. In fact, asking the question shows you care and are worried about them.

“It’s about starting the conversation, which can help to reduce the person’s anxiety or feelings of isolation. They may feel relieved to have you reaching out to them,” says Jessica Strong, Intermountain’s Primary Children’s Hospital community health manager. “It’s better to ask an awkward question than not ask at all.”

2. Persuade

Try to get the at-risk person to seek help. The best way you can do this is by sending the message that you care about them, want them to get help, and that recovery is possible. Don’t plead or beg.

“It’s important to not prescribe the conversation. Listening is critical to persuading. Let the person tell their story without judgment or interruption,” Strong says.

If you think this is an immediate crisis, you have options. You can call the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or call the police.

3. Refer

When someone needs help, you want the person to get effective treatment. Help can come through a variety of places such as professional counseling, a school counselor, or a family doctor.

Let them know that they’re not alone by attending the appointment with them. If you’re not able to attend or they prefer to go by themselves, follow up with them afterward.

For more information about suicide prevention, you can go the Intermountain Healthcare Zero Suicide website at intermountainhealthcare.org/zerosuicide

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Youth can also use the Safe UT app to speak to someone.

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