The University of Kentucky created the challenge concept to increase suicide prevention efforts across campuses around the nation. The challenge was initially conceptualized as a "QPR-A-THON" however, we quickly realized that the challenge would exclude other terrific suicide prevention training programs and participants. The challenge was then opened to include other training style programs both in person and online. Texas Christian University supported the challenge idea and funded the "overall winner" trophy. The challenge first started in the 2015-2016 academic year and ran from August 1st, 2015- May 27th, 2016.
In 2015-2016, 48 colleges/universities joined the challenge with 42 colleges/universities completing the challenge! Incredible first year!!! As a result of the challenge, 36,901 individuals were trained across the nation in suicide prevention in 2015-2016 alone! AMAZING!!! We truly believe that EVERY ONE person trained, EVERY ONE person saved, COUNTS!
