Toolkit Workshops

YSPP remains committed to reducing youth suicidal behaviors; specifically we want:

• Schools to recognize the ongoing need for suicide prevention education and to engage in active partnerships with YSPP;
• Written school policies and procedures that support suicide prevention
• Educators and school staff who can recognize the warning signs for depression and suicide and who know how to intervene;
• Parents who understand that depression and suicide can be problems for teens and that there are signs to watch for and resources for help; and
• Middle and high school students who know how and why to help a friend at-risk of suicide

To achieve these objectives we will once again support schools in the design and implementation of suicide prevention campaigns. We look forward to partnering with middle and high schools this year. If you are familiar with school campaigns, it is important to note a few changes:

• Instead of hosting 10-12 large toolkit workshops across the state, we will provide mini-trainings at individual school sites. This increases the number of students that can participate in training and we believe will enhance student learning.
• We will provide financial support up to $200.00 to participating schools as long as schools agree to the following activities:

                      1.  Organizing and hosting a 1-hour teacher/staff in-service on suicide

                           prevention prior to the implementation of campaign activities; this can

                           be facilitated by YSPP (at no cost) or by local mental health experts.

                      2.  Working with YSPP to ensure that a school has a written crisis plan that

                           includes responding to suicidal behaviors; and

                      3.  Participating in a survey and short interview that help us assess the

                           impact of prevention efforts.