Hoping to educate and reduce stigma in the community, the Making Hope Happen Foundation offers a no-cost mental health program consisting of three different curriculums. The program is available to anyone over the age of 18 who lives or works in San Bernardino County.

Questions Persuade Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training

QPR Gatekeeper training is a curriculum teaching individuals how to help others who may be thinking about suicide. Participants learn about suicide statistics in the United States, signs and symptoms to look out for in potentially suicidals people, and how to properly help someone. Helping someone includes asking them questions, persuading them to accept help, and referring them to the professionals that will be able to help them.

QPR Gatekeeping is a two-hour training taught to a group of up to 30 people ensuring that the instructor is attentive to participants and is able to communicate with them. Upon completion, participants receive a two year certification, resources that they can refer to when helping someone and a summary of the contents of the presentation.

Youth/Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals about mental health challenges and how to help someone utilizing an action plan. Participants are taken through the action plan with opportunities to see crisis and non-crisis situations, as well as discuss ways to aid individuals. Youth MHFA is a five and a half hour class, while Adult MHFA is six and a half hours. Both of these classes are designed for adult participants only.

To learn more about the program interested persons may visit the Mental Health Programs Website or email Mental Health Programs Manager Gerzon Cesena.