Bonneville High School teachers learn tools handling suicide prevention

Teachers at Bonneville High School are learning lessons to better prepare themselves on the topic of suicide.

Faculty and staff stayed after school to learn about QPR on Wednesday. QPR stands for “question, persuade, refer.” It teaches how to open up a conversation with someone who may be contemplating suicide and then how to help them get help.

“Suicide and mental health is a significant thing that we’re dealing with,” said Levi Owen, the principal at Bonneville High School. “It is become (better accepted) to talk about. We have had some experiences at our very own high school with suicide and the tragedy that it befalls. We want to do something to be proactive and avoid the loss of life in the future.”

The trainers giving the lessons are both Bonneville High School employees. Counselor, Sara Colson, and physical education teacher, Lori Baldwin, are certified trainers in QPR and Hope Squad.

Hope Squad is a suicide prevention group that helps tackle issues of suicide, anxiety and depression.