About the Course
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people, and youth involved in foster care or other vulnerable systems face even greater risk. This course equips foster parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to identify early warning signs and intervene with confidence and compassion. Participants will explore current trends in youth suicide, understand the emotional and environmental factors that contribute to risk, and examine the unique impact of trauma and media exposure. Through guided discussion and practice, they will learn how to use the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) method to support youth in crisis and take immediate, appropriate action that can save lives.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the current trends, prevalence, and contributing factors surrounding suicide in children and adolescents, particularly those in foster care and vulnerable systems.
2. Identify the behavioral, emotional, and verbal warning signs of youth suicide and understand how media and trauma increase vulnerability.
3. Apply the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) method to recognize and respond to suicide risk, and know what to say—and what not to say—when engaging a youth in crisis.