Wilton Y Invests in Suicide Prevention Training to Expand Its ‘Culture of Care’

A new strategic initiative at the Riverbrook Regional YMCA is making suicide prevention a top priority as the Y seeks to address the mental health needs of the community as well as its staff.

“Since we’re one of the largest providers of youth, family, and community programs, we know the role our staff can play in identifying concerns and helping individuals seek support before a crisis develops,” said Riverbrook Regional YMCA CEO Christene Freedman.

More than 150 staff members recently completed QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, a nationally recognized program designed to help recognize warning signs for suicide risk, start conversations with at-risk individuals, and connect them with appropriate resources — before a tragedy occurs.

A Strategic Priority

“When I came on board as the CEO about two years ago, we started to look at a strategic planning process,” Freedman said. “And when we were going through information to set our plan and our vision for the next three years, one topic that kept on coming up, unfortunately, was mental health.”

Freedman cited CDC data that shows nearly one-third of high school students report poor mental health, while more than one in five adults experience a mental health illness each year.

“We really felt prioritizing mental health for our community and for our staff was one of our number one priorities,” she said.

Freedman said the Y’s unique role in the community makes its employees well positioned to make a difference.

“Every day, our staff interact with children, teens, adults, and seniors who may be facing challenges that are not always visible,” she said.

Echoing Freedman’s point, Early Childhood and School Age Development Director Kimberly Fejes said the training has given staff practical tools to promote the “culture of care” at the Y.

“Providing QPR training for our staff has been incredibly valuable because it equips us to better support the people we serve every day,” Fejes said in a recent press release. “Whether it’s a child in a youth program, a teen, an adult member, or a fellow staff member, we want our team to feel prepared to recognize warning signs and respond with compassion.”

Ultimately, the new initiative is intended to enhance the Y’s mission of advancing health and wellbeing.

“[QPR] training helps us build a stronger culture of care throughout our YMCA community,” Fejes added.

About The Training

QPR focuses specifically on suicide prevention. Freedman said the training gives employees the skills to recognize signs of distress, know what questions to ask to begin a conversation, and then connect individuals with the resources they need.

Freedman emphasized the “refer” portion of QPR is about knowing where to turn when someone needs additional help. That includes calling the 988 suicide hotline, which Freedman noted is a critical resource when someone is in immediate distress.

The Y also has close partnerships with Wilton and Norwalk social services departments, Northwell Health (Norwalk Hospital) and Silver Hill Hospital, among other partners. It also has a Northwell registered nurse on-site full-time.

“We’re really creating these partnerships in order to direct people to the help they need,” she said.

Freedman praised the work of the trainers who provided the QPR training at the Y.

“The training was made possible through a collaborative partnership with certified QPR trainers Jen Chaudhary and Neil Chaudhary of the Rotary Club of Newtown, Donna Ditrio of the Rotary Club of Meriden, and Kelley Tomlinson, from the Norwalk Health Department,” she said.

The training immediately had impact. According to Freedman, two staff members approached the QPR trainers after the training because they recognized their own needs. Freedman also recounted an instance in which a staff member put their training into practice with a family member in crisis.

“So they knew what questions to ask, how to persuade them, and then called 988 with them,” Freedman said.

An Ongoing Commitment

The Y is not viewing the QPR training as a one-time event. Freedman said the organization plans to make it part of its ongoing employee training.

“It’s like CPR, right? You get trained in CPR, then you have to get recertified,” Freedman said. “So QPR is going to be part of our training here at the Y moving forward.”

Freedman hinted that the Y may also expand its employee training beyond suicide prevention, possibly adding “Mental Health First Aid” training in the future, to help address substance abuse and other mental health issues.

Freedman said the Y sees its reach extending beyond just the people who walk through its doors.

“We really see our role as a Y that has this regional aspect [to] help as many people as we can in and outside our Y campus,” she said. “The Y is strengthening the support of members, families, program participants, and the broader community, while reinforcing the YMCA’s commitment to health, well-being, and belonging for all.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Licensed crisis counselors are also available online at 988lifeline.org for anyone with mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use problems, or in need of any other support.