Suicide Prevention Training for members of the general public will be offered in Durango next week and in March. Southwest Colorado has a higher suicide rate than the rest of the state, which in turn has a higher suicide rate than the rest of the country. La Plata county lost nine people to suicide in 2014.

The QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training takes less than two hours and provides a clear and basic framework for caring individuals to engage safely and appropriately with a person at risk and get them connected to the help they need. The training will be held at the Keller Williams office at 700 Main Ave. in Durango. The cost is $10. Training is limited to 15 persons per session.

There are two sessions: 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3.

QPR training is provided by Southern Ute Community Action Programs (SUCAP). Register by going online at www.sucap.org or by calling 563-4517.