OKEECHOBEE — The signs of crisis are all around us. To that end, the Okeechobee community has a goal to educate and empower as many people as possible, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. Here’s one way the villagers are convening and collaborating to save lives.

QPR training (Question, Persuade and Refer) and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) SAVE’s mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training that everyone can use to make a difference and save lives.

WHO: Our Village Okeechobee with partners MISSION UNITED Okeechobee | St. Lucie, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee.

WHAT: VA S.A.V.E. Training - is a free, one hour, in-person course that will improve your awareness and help you act with care and compassion if you come across someone who is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide.

WHEN: Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at 10 AM. (Please register at S.A.V.E. / QPR Training at Our Village)

WHERE: The Center for Arts & Education of Our Village Okeechobee, 202 NE 2nd Street, Okeechobee Florida. Parking is available on the street and in the Our Village parking lot.

WHY: Surveys show that most people, as well as many healthcare providers, including mental health professionals, do not receive specific or adequate training in how to recognize and help those at risk of suicide. In an hour, you’ll learn how to recognize someone in crisis and what to do to support them.

Please register at S.A.V.E. / QPR Training at Our Village. If you are unable to join, please consider forwarding this invitation to a colleague, family or neighbor who can participate. For questions, contact MissionUnited@MUOSL.Org or call 772.782.1939.