For First Responders

The NAN Project has developed a comprehensive, 4 hour Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training, specifically for first responders including firefighters and law enforcement officers. This training includes mental health and suicide prevention information and resources for both the community and for the responders themselves.

The NAN Project training law enforcement officers in Mental Health 101 and QPR Suicide Prevention at the Malden Police Department in June of 2021.

The NAN Project providing a training on Mental Health 101 to the Beverly Fire Department in February of 2023.

Session 1: QPR Suicide Prevention

QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) is an evidenced based training for Suicide Prevention, a 2 hour program designed to teach lay and professional “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. Gatekeepers can include anyone who is strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, police officers). The process follows three steps: (1) Question the individual’s desire or intent regarding suicide, (2) Persuade the person to seek and accept help, and (3) Refer the person to appropriate resources. This training covers warning signs for someone who might be at risk of suicide, as well as what concrete steps can a police officer do when responding to someone in crisis, both professionally and in their personal lives.

Session 2: Mental Health 101

This 2 hour program provides an overview of behavioral health conditions, and offers common mental health presentations that law enforcement may meet in the community. The mental health challenges described in Mental Health 101, include anxiety, depression, substance abuse and schizophrenia. The NAN Project employs the voices of our Peer Mentors, whose lived experience demonstrates “what it looks like”. Officers will learn to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness, effective crisis intervention techniques, accessing care and local resources. The resources, partners in offering care to the community of Malden, include Eliot Emergency Services, Eliot Recovery Coach, Eliot PACT team manager and the program director of Everett Family Resource Center. Each resource will be introduced, explained and offered easy access. These resources are also available to the officers and their families.

After training, The NAN Project is available for further consultation and small group instruction for interested law enforcement officers.

“Best training we have ever had. ” -Police Officer, Malden

“Changed the way I approach people in the community” -Police Offer, Stoneham

Resources for First Responders

BlueHelp 1 (800) 267-5463

It is the mission of Blue H.E.L.P. to reduce mental health stigma through education, advocate for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, acknowledge the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers we lost to suicide, assist officers in their search for healing, and to bring awareness to suicide and mental health issues