Overview
Conduct annual prevention training for your staff, led by trained mental health professionals (such as school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, or community mental health personnel).
You can also request training from external agencies or programs, such as community services boards (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, SafeTalk, etc.). If you employ an external agency, ensure that your school mental health professionals are involved in the design and delivery of the programming to ensure alignment with local policies and procedures.
Professional development for staff
- Cultivating a positive school climate with connections between students and adults who are approachable, trustworthy, helpful, and good role models for self-care
- Enhancing awareness of youth mental health and suicide concerns and the role that schools play in prevention and early intervention
- Identifying and addressing common myths about suicide
- Recognizing risk and protective factors, at-risk groups, and warning signs of youth suicide
- Responding to students and procedures for reporting concerns
- Understanding the suicide risk assessment process, including safety planning
- Enhancing awareness of in-school and out-of-school mental health resources
Resources for staff
Additional tips
- Consider adopting an anonymous reporting system, such as Say Something or Safe2Tell, which provide a way for students, parents, school staff, and community members to report concerns regarding their safety or the safety of others.
- Consider how your school wants to message suicide prevention activities, such as through posters, social media campaigns, school announcements, and bulletin boards.
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