Suicide Prevention

As suicide prevention awareness month comes to a close we are reaching out to provide resources and training opportunities to support suicide prevention initiatives that can be accessed throughout the year. As part of AB 1767 and AB 2247,  all local educational agencies (LEAs) serving students from kindergarten through the 12th grade must adopt a policy on suicide prevention. 

Directing Change Training/Resources for Schools

Directing Change is part of a statewide effort to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote mental health and wellness of students.

  • Here you will find a comprehensive list of resources, trainings, and lesson plans to support suicide prevention in the schools.

 

Additional Trainings

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) 

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence based program that is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

  • CDE can assist with providing your LEA with a Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. Please complete the Virtual YMHFA Training Inquiry/Request Form. CDE requires at least 45 days advance notice to schedule the training.

Living Works Start

LivingWorks Start is a Free online Suicide Prevention Skills Training (for anyone 13 or older). It teaches trainees to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support. Safety resources and support are available throughout the program.

  • Register here for the 90 minute online course.

A Trusted Space

A Trusted Space offers a variety of programs related to mental health promotion in schools. Including foundational training for educators on how to help mitigate the effects of grief, trauma, anxiety and other emotional stressors that so many students, families, and even themselves, are feeling. The docu-training film includes experts in trauma-informed education weighing in to address the overwhelming anxiety and fear many have about being in school, whatever the setting

  • Access the free training film and curriculum here.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.

  • Access trainings designed for professionals serving youth here. These trainings offer tools to help prevent suicide among the young LGBTQ  population.

Additional Resources

  • Assembly Bill 2246 Pupil Suicide Prevention Policies. This link provides access to the text of Assembly Bill 2246. AB 2246 was passed in 2016 and required all LEAs to develop Suicide Prevention Policies for LEAs serving 7th-12th grades.
  • Assembly Bill 1767 AB 1767 (passed in 2019) is an extension to AB 2246, which applied to LEAs serving students from 7th through the 12th grades, to add age groups from kindergarten through the 6th grade. This effectively mandates that all local educational agencies serving students from kindergarten through the 12th grade adopt a policy on suicide prevention, also specifically addressing the needs of high-risk groups.
  • K-12 Toolkit for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, K-12. This Toolkit, from the Health Care Alliance for Response to Adolescent Depression, assists schools with promoting mental health, intervening in a mental health crisis, and supporting members of a school community after a loss to suicide.
  • HOPE Squad Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention.

 

Skip to content