Suicide Prevention

There are many valuable resources for youth suicide prevention. Below are links to some of the most useful for schools in Wisconsin.

Mental Health America of Wisconsin provides many resources on their Youth Suicide Prevention Resources page. It is useful for schools and communities wishing to collaborate to end youth suicide. The mission of MHA is to promote mental health, prevent mental disorders, and achieve victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, information and support. They provide information about mental health and mental illness to individuals, professional organizations, and the community. As part of our grant activities, DPI collaborated with MHA of Wisconsin to create a 3-part series of "Well Aware Bulletins" geared to those who want to take steps toward suicide prevention in their schools. The bulletins can be especially useful for beginning conversations with administrators. Simply download the bulletin below and print in color or black and white on 11 x 17 paper.

Helping Others Prevent and Educate about Suicide (HOPES) is an organization of volunteers who help others through education and advocacy for suicide prevention. They offer many useful resources including a survivor's guide and groups for people affected by suicide.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), established in 2002, supports suicide prevention to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). SPRC provides prevention support, training, and resource materials to strengthen suicide prevention networks and is the first federally funded center of its kind. SPRC is a training and technical resource center that builds capacity for states and communities to implement and evaluate suicide prevention programs. One important resource for school professionals is "Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk" (AMSR): The AMSR is a one-day, knowledge-based training that covers 24 competencies required for effective assessment and management of individuals at risk for suicide. See the American Association of Suicidology link below for more information about suicide risk assessment training.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help or you are concerned about someone else, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, their mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. They also support a suicide prevention page on MySpace.

The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) works to understand and prevent suicide by directing efforts to advance the study of suicide as a science, encouraging the development and application of strategies that reduce the incidence and prevalence of suicidal behaviors. Two important resources for school personnel are:

Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk (RRSR): Essential Skills for Clinicians-Adolescent Version. RRSR is an interactive training based on the core competencies mental health professionals need to know and be able to apply in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk. The RRSR is a two-day, knowledge-and-skills training. The RRSR provides practice in applying this knowledge to clinical cases. The AMSR training listed above under the SPRC web page is a prerequisite for RRSR training.
AAS also offers a School Suicide Prevention Accreditation Program for school psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and all others dedicated to or responsible for reducing the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviors among today's school-age youth.

GSA for Safe Schools is committed to safe middle and high schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youths, and all students.

The Trevor Project is a national organization forcused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) assures that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Prevent Suicide Wisconsin partners saving lives in our state. The mission of Prevent Suicide Wisconsin is to reduce the number of suicides that take place in our state each year.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a US Department of Health and Human Services agency that is focused on building resilience and facilitating recovery for people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders, and provides resources including programs, policies, and grants.

Project Fresh Light has the latest research news, provider networking, best practices, and internet discussion board in relation to adolescent substance abuse treatment in Wisconsin.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide has resources for teens, parents, and educators on public awareness and educational training programs.

For questions about this information, contact Brenda Jennings (608) 266-7051

Last updated on 4/19/2012 3:23:24 PM