UK, UK HealthCare partners surpass 5,000 suicide prevention trainings statewide

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2026) — A statewide effort led by the University of Kentucky to expand access to suicide prevention training has reached a major milestone: more than 5,000 Kentuckians have now completed free, online Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training.

The transdisciplinary effort, coordinated through UK HealthCare’s Healthy Kentucky Initiative, has brought together partners across health care, academia and community organizations to address one of the state’s most pressing public health challenges. This initiative focuses on advancing the health of all Kentuckians through community-driven programming, with an emphasis on behavioral health, holistic wellness, access to care and underserved populations.

“Reaching more than 5,000 trained individuals means thousands of people across Kentucky are now better prepared to recognize warning signs and help someone in crisis,” said Trudi Matthews, chief of value-based programs, public policy and community initiatives at UK HealthCare. “We’re incredibly grateful for the partners and communities who have made this work possible. This is what it looks like to come together in advancing Kentucky — building people’s knowledge and skills, supporting one another and empowering people to act when it matters most.”

A community-centered response to a statewide need

Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among Kentuckians ages 10 to 34. In response to this public health concern, UK HealthCare invested in statewide access to QPR training, covering the cost of online certification and making the program available 24/7 at no cost to Kentuckians. Launched in 2022, the initiative was designed to remove financial barriers and significantly expand access to the one-hour, evidence-based training for adults across the Commonwealth.

Often described as “CPR for mental health,” QPR equips participants with practical skills to recognize warning signs of suicide; ask direct, supportive questions; and connect individuals to appropriate resources.  

The training is designed for anyone — not just health professionals — reflecting a core principle of the initiative: that suicide prevention is a shared community responsibility.

‘It starts with a question’

To expand participation, the Healthy Kentucky Initiative partnered with a research team in the UK College of Communication and Information to implement a statewide promotional campaign grounded in strategic communication. The team included nine communication and information students across undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, providing hands-on experience in applying research to a real-world public health challenge.

The campaign centers on the message “It starts with a question,” and challenges a common misconception that only professionals can intervene in a mental health crisis. Instead, it empowers everyday people — friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors — to act.

Using a coordinated strategy across paid, earned, shared and owned media, the campaign has generated millions of impressions statewide, driven thousands of visits to the QPR training site, and increased engagement through community events, media outreach and digital platforms.

“I’ve been trained in QPR for seven years, and I’ve seen it save lives over that time. It’s so comforting to have the knowledge and ability to intervene when a loved one, friend or colleague might be in danger. The theming of the campaign is directly tied to the skills taught in the training,” said C.C. Rhein, a junior ISC major and Gaines Fellow at UK. “Seeing the work we’ve put in pay off in the form of a safe community has truly made my time on this project the most impactful part of my undergraduate experience.”

Partnerships expanding reach across Kentucky

A key driver of the initiative’s success has been its broad network of partnerships, which bring suicide prevention training and awareness into communities across the Commonwealth.

The effort includes collaboration with colleges and universities across the state, along with behavioral health and community partners such as New Vista and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities. The initiative is also informed by close collaboration with the Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, led by UK College of Social Work faculty member Julie Cerel, helping ensure the work remains grounded in evidence-based suicide prevention research.

The Cooperative Extension Service in the UK College of Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment also has played a critical role in expanding the initiative’s reach at the local level. Through its statewide network, Extension agents have helped connect the training to local leaders, organizations and residents across Kentucky, meeting people in their own communities and strengthening grassroots engagement. In the past year, Extension leaders have elevated the importance of this work at the highest levels of the university, including a presentation to the UK Board of Trustees highlighting the role of QPR training in strengthening community response.

“Because Extension is embedded in communities across all 120 counties, we’re uniquely positioned to expand the reach of this training into areas that are often underserved,” said Katherine Jury, senior agricultural extension specialist. “The fact that QPR is offered online is a game-changer — it allows us to pair strong local relationships with flexible, accessible training that people can complete wherever they are."

“This work is driven by collaboration,” said Jenni Jinright, Healthy Kentucky Initiative manager for UK HealthCare. “Our partners across Kentucky have been essential in helping us meet people where they are and embed these tools into everyday spaces where they can make a difference.”

With more than 5,000 Kentuckians now trained, the project has gained substantial momentum. Jinright said her team now has their eyes on the next milestone: 10,000 Kentuckians trained.

“It is important to remember that these aren’t just numbers,” she said. “These are people and community members who are now better prepared to help if they notice loved ones are struggling.”

From research to real-world impact

The initiative reflects a growing emphasis at UK on translating research into real-world solutions. Faculty, students and community partners have collaborated to design, implement and evaluate the campaign, ensuring it is both evidence-based and responsive to community needs.

The effort also includes:

• A statewide speakers bureau delivering presentations to civic groups and organizations
• Community events and outreach across Kentucky
• Ongoing research to evaluate message effectiveness and training impact

Together, these efforts are helping build a stronger, more prepared network of Kentuckians who can recognize and respond to mental health crises.

How to get involved

The QPR training is free, online and takes about one hour to complete. Kentuckians ages 18 and older can access the training at ukhealthcare.com/QPR.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org. Available 24/7, the lifeline connects individuals to trained counselors who can provide immediate, confidential support and help connect them to local resources. Take the 988 click and learn lesson to learn more.