Human Skills for Moments That Matter
The most important conversations rarely happen under perfect conditions. They happen when someone is struggling, when tension is rising, when a colleague needs support, or when an organization is trying to build a safer and more inclusive culture.
Skills That Matter provides practical, accessible training for individuals, workplaces, schools, community organizations, and other groups. Our programs focus on helping people recognize difficult situations, communicate more effectively, respond with confidence, and connect others with appropriate support.
Training is available through self-paced online courses, live virtual workshops, and in-person sessions. Programs may also be customized to reflect the needs, policies, experiences, and responsibilities of your organization.
Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
Suicide prevention is not only the responsibility of mental health professionals. Friends, family members, educators, supervisors, coaches, coworkers, community leaders, and other everyday people can all play an important role in recognizing when someone may be struggling.
Our Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training helps participants develop the confidence and practical skills needed to:
- Recognize possible warning signs of suicide
- Ask directly and compassionately about suicide
- Listen without judgment or panic
- Respond appropriately when someone may be at risk
- Connect a person with crisis and professional support
- Understand the role and limitations of a suicide prevention gatekeeper
- Continue offering support after the immediate conversation
This training is designed for people who may encounter someone experiencing emotional distress but who are not necessarily mental health or crisis professionals.
Available online, virtually, and in person.
QPR Gatekeeper Training
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three practical actions that may help save a life.
Led by a Certified QPR Instructor, this structured gatekeeper training teaches participants how to recognize possible warning signs of suicide, begin a direct conversation, encourage someone to accept help, and connect them with appropriate resources.
QPR training is well suited for:
- Workplaces and employee groups
- Schools and educational communities
- Coaches and athletic organizations
- Faith and community groups
- Volunteers and nonprofit organizations
- Parents, caregivers, and concerned community members
No previous mental health training is required.
Available as a live virtual or in-person program.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Sensitivity Training
Creating an inclusive environment requires more than good intentions. It requires an understanding of language, identity, respectful communication, common barriers, and the ways everyday interactions can help people feel either welcomed or excluded.
Our LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Sensitivity Training helps participants better understand:
- Sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression
- Respectful and affirming language
- Names, pronouns, and inclusive communication
- Common assumptions, stereotypes, and misconceptions
- The difference between intent and impact
- How to respond when mistakes occur
- Practical ways to create more welcoming environments
- The relationship between belonging, emotional safety, and well-being
Training can be adapted for workplaces, schools, community organizations, service providers, and leadership teams.
We also offer SafeZone Workshops, an established LGBTQ+ workshop curriculum.
Available online, virtually, and in person.
Workplace Harassment & Sexual Harassment Training
Every employee deserves to work in an environment where they are treated with dignity and respect.
Our Workplace Harassment & Sexual Harassment Training helps employees and supervisors recognize inappropriate conduct, understand workplace expectations, respond to concerns, and contribute to a professional and respectful culture.
Topics may include:
- Workplace harassment and sexual harassment
- Unwelcome conduct and inappropriate workplace behavior
- Boundaries and professional communication
- Reporting concerns and participating in the reporting process
- Retaliation and the importance of protecting those who raise concerns
- Responsibilities of employees, supervisors, and organizational leaders
- Bystander intervention and responding when misconduct is witnessed
- Building a culture in which concerns can be raised safely
Programs may be customized to incorporate an organization’s policies, reporting procedures, industry, and workforce.
Available online, virtually, and in person.
Organizations seeking training designed to meet a specific state or local legal requirement should contact us to discuss the applicable jurisdiction and training needs.
Cultural Sensitivity & Cultural Humility Training
People bring different identities, histories, values, communication styles, traditions, and lived experiences into every workplace and community.
Our Cultural Sensitivity & Cultural Humility Training helps participants approach those differences with greater awareness, curiosity, and respect. Rather than expecting participants to become experts in every culture, the training emphasizes reflection, communication, and a willingness to learn.
Participants explore:
- Culture, identity, and lived experience
- Implicit assumptions and unconscious bias
- Stereotypes and generalizations
- Cultural humility and ongoing self-reflection
- Respectful communication across differences
- Curiosity without intrusion or tokenization
- Intent, impact, and repairing misunderstandings
- Creating environments in which people feel respected and included
Training can be tailored to workplaces, schools, service organizations, community groups, and teams serving diverse populations.
Available online, virtually, and in person.
Custom Organizational Training
Every organization is different. Your team may need a focused workshop, a combination of several topics, or a program built around a particular situation or population.
Skills That Matter can develop customized training related to:
- Suicide prevention and supportive conversations
- LGBTQ+ inclusion
- Workplace respect and harassment prevention
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusive communication
- Active listening
- Responding to emotional distress
- Trauma-informed communication
- De-escalation and difficult conversations
- Bystander intervention
- Mental health awareness for supervisors and organizational leaders
Custom programs may incorporate organizational policies, realistic scenarios, facilitated discussion, practical exercises, and role-specific guidance.
Training Formats
Self-Paced Online Courses
Complete training independently through our online learning platform. Self-paced programs are ideal for individuals or organizations that need flexible access.
Live Virtual Training
Interactive training delivered through a virtual meeting platform. Virtual sessions allow participants to ask questions, discuss realistic situations, and learn together from different locations.
In-Person Training
On-site workshops designed for organizations, workplaces, schools, teams, and community groups. In-person sessions can be adapted to your audience, schedule, and organizational needs.
Bring Skills That Matter to Your Organization
Whether you are looking for a single workshop, organization-wide training, or a customized learning program, we will work with you to identify the topics and format that best support your group.
Contact Skills That Matter to discuss training availability, scheduling, customization, and pricing.