Suicide Prevention Training at Marquette Area Public Schools

Marquette Area Public Schools held a “gatekeeper training” for educators in the area of suicide prevention Wednesday evening. The session was prompted by the death of a MSHS student last school year, and the deaths of other young people in some surrounding school districts over the last year.

The MAPS district crisis team has continued to meet with the goal of developing a system-wide suicide prevention plan.

The goal is to develop a permanent team of trainers in local schools.  These trainers will teach all K-12 staff—teachers, administrators, bus drivers, secretaries, and other support staff about identifying suicide risk factors in students.

It’s called “gatekeeper training.”  It is described as CPR for a mental health crisis. Team members will be taught basic skills to recognize a person at risk of suicide and to connect that person to professional help.

MAPS brought in a “train the trainer” professional from the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Institute.  MSHS Counselor Patti Karwoski  and  MSHS Business Teacher Kim Carr, are working on fundraising efforts in order to deliver this program. MAPS invited teams of two from Negaunee, Ishpeming, Westwood, Gwinn, and North Star Academy school systems to join them.

To make a financial contribution, or for further information, contact Patti Karwoski at 906-225-5368.