The partnership was announced to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, with the day aimed at remembering those affected by suicide, raise awareness and focus efforts on directing treatment.

US Ski and Snowboard says it will provide QPR Institute training to staff.

The QPR training is based on three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide; question, persuade, and refer.

The QPR Institute says it aims to reduce suicidal behaviours and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide-prevention training.

Those trained in QPR learn how to recognise suicide warning signs and are better equipped to question, persuade and refer someone in potential danger to help.

QPR can be learned in as little as one hour.

US Ski and Snowboard has encouraged athletes, members, and board members to complete the free training.

The initiative has been supported by a collaboration with The Speedy Foundation, which is named after three-time Olympian Jeret "Speedy" Peterson.

Peterson won a freestyle aerials silver medal at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, as well as achieving a world-record score at Deer Valley Resort in 2007.

Peterson battled depression and substance abuse and took his life in July 2011 at the age of 29.

The Speedy Foundation was established to help prevent suicide, support education about mental health and promote conversations to end stigma, with the organisation raising funds and forming collaborations with other advocacy groups to achieve its aims.

US Ski and Snowboard say the mandatory staff QPR training is an important step in the organisation’s revamped internal Mental Health Committee’s plan and oversight the national governing body’s mental health resources.

The committee is led by United States Olympic and Paralympic sport psychologist Alexander Cohen and US Ski and Snowboard sports medicine director and lead physical therapist Gillian Bower.

Key staff members also sit on the panel, which has coach and athlete representation.

US Ski and Snowboard says it has also made an annual commitment to complete the National Collegiate Athletic Association Mental Health Best Practices Self Assessment, with results and recommendations reported directly to the mental health committee for review and implementation.

More details on the Mental Health Committee will be posted on the organisation’s mental health and wellness section of its website prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season.