KENT, Conn.—Three Kent residents became certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers last month during a course offered at town hall. Donna Bielefield, a preventionist with the McCall Behavioral Health Network in Torrington, Conn., instructed the 90-minute class on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
QPR, which stands for question, persuade, refer, is not intended to be a form of counseling, but instead offers hope through positive action.
The trained residents are now capable of recognizing the warning signs of someone who is potentially suicidal, offering hope to these individuals, and directing (referring) them to life-saving support resources within the community.
Bielefeld, who is also an EMS, acknowledges the stigma associated with discussing suicide, and stated, “Suicide is a public health issue.”
“The problem out here [in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut] is accessiblity… You have to drive over half an hour to get to anything, not even mental health care, but also physical health care,” she continued.
Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can get help via phone, text, or online with the following resources:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free)
- Call or Text 988
- 988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line (24/7, free)
- Text HOME to 741741
- crisistextline.org
- United Way 211 Connecticut (24/7, free)
- Call 211
- 211ct.org
- Connecticut Mobile Crisis Intervention Services for youth and families
- Call 211, then press option 1
- McCall Behavioral Health Network
- Call 860-496-2100
- mccallbhn.org
One trainee, Kent resident Lucia Pongracz, was eager to participate in the Gatekeeper program.
“I believe any of us as members of our community could make a positive impact on those struggling with mental health. Understanding and recognizing the signs are so important for that,” she said.
Pongracz, a senior at Shepaug Valley High School, added, “I want to be a nurse in the future and this training benefits me, not just as an individual, but also as a future provider.”
Since 2014, the number of people dying by suicide has increased each year, though data from 2020 is incomplete due to impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
As such, Samantha Hasenflue, director of the Town of Kent Social Services Department, is keen to increase training of laypeople in the community.
“Mental health is a very important topic that is still pretty uncomfortable for people to talk about,” Hasenflue stated after the class. “So the more we can put these opportunities out there to educate people, hopefully the easier it will be to talk about it, and more people will seek the resources that are available to them.”
The next two QPR Gatekeeper trainings will be held on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, and Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Kent Town Hall, 41 Kent Green Blvd.
The certification is good for three years.
The next Mental Health First Aid course, the first of which was well-attended by Kent residents in April, will take place in January or February 2026. Those interested should email the social services department regarding availability.
Additionally, Hasenflue and Bielefield note that part of suicide prevention also includes appropriate medication disposal in order to decrease the likelihood of overdose.
DETERRA drug deactivation system single use pouches are designed for disposing of any medication. This ensures medications are not flushed down toilets and therefore do not end up in soil and waterways.
The DETERRA pouches are an alternative to intermittent Drug Takeback Days to allow residents to dispose of unused medications in an appropriate time frame.
The DETERRA drug deactivation pouches can be picked up in person at the social services office at Kent Town Hall, the Kent Food Bank located in Kent Community House at 93 N. Main St., and at the Kent Senior Center at 16 Swifts Lane.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can get help by calling or texting 988.
