Mental Health Staff

According to their national associations, school mental health staff include school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, and school nurses. It is important that school mental health staff work collaboratively to create a seamless system of support for students experiencing thoughts of suicide, from triage to support. An effective system allows students to be identified, assessed for risk, and then referred to treatment based on severity. This website lists resources for school mental health staff to build their capacity in working with high-risk students.

Suicide Resources for Mental Health Staff

  • Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

    The SPRC provides technical assistance, training, and materials to increase the expertise of professionals that work with youth. This website has information and toolkits regarding suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

  • HEARD Alliance

    The HEARD Alliance toolkit for mental health promotion and suicide prevention is a free resource for schools that was recently revised to support AB2246. This website offers links to resources to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

  • The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

    This website has information about suicide of youth and adults, along with updated statistics.

  • American Association of Suicidology

    This website has information regarding the latest statistics regarding suicides in the United States.

  • 13 Reasons Why Resource – SPRC

    This “13 Reasons Why” webpage from SPRC has a wealth of resources for parents and educators to address with students the Netflix series, which centers around a teen suicide.

  • 13 Reasons Why Resource – NASP

    This “13 Reasons Why” handout from NASP provides talking points for educators and families. This resource has been translated into 6 other languages to assist culturally diverse populations.

  • Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Services

    Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Services is staffed by professional and knowledgeable experts offering training, support and services to suicide survivors, and loved ones whose family members or friends have died by suicide.

  • National Center for Prevention of Youth Suicide

    The National Center for Prevention of Youth Suicide is a branch of the American Association of Suicidology which offers information and programs to engage youth in the prevention of suicide.

  • American Association of Suicidology - Risks and Warning Signs

    This website also has resources about the risks and warning signs of suicide.

  • Question, Persuade, Refer

    QPR is a professional training listed on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. This advanced training is for mental health staff who are on the front lines of suicide prevention and intervention. There is a cost for this training.

  • National Association of School Psychologists

    The National Association of School Psychologists provides information and resources to assist school mental health staff in working with high-risk youth and youth with disabilities.

Mental Health Resources

  • Break Free From Depression

    Break Free From Depression (BFFD) is a 4-module curriculum focused on increasing awareness about adolescent depression. This training is helpful for school mental health staff to increase their understanding of adolescent depression. This training should not be shown to students without the support of the school’s administration. Resources must be made available for students who may be affected.

  • Each Mind Matters

    Each Mind Matters is California’s mental health movement, working to advance mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental illness. This website has resources for increasing mental health awareness and organizing campaigns.

  • California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)

    The CalMHSA website has information about statewide mental health programs, initiatives and services.

  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

    The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is a peer-directed national organization that provides resources about depression and bipolar disorder.

  • StopBullying.gov

    This is a federal government website aimed at defining and responding to bullying and cyberbullying. This website assists staff in understanding, assessing, and preventing bullying in their classrooms and schools.

  • Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

    This website links to the PBIS Technical Assistance Center and provides information on PBIS in the schools.

  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network

    The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources and training information to help school staff support children exposed to trauma.

  • Coalition to Support Grieving Students

    The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a website sponsored by Scholastic that provides resources for working with students who are grieving. Training modules and a wealth of resources can be found on this website.

  • GLSEN

    GLSEN (pronounced “glisten”) is a national education organization started by teachers dedicated to ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ+ students.

  • School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA)

    The SSWAA website offers resources and support for responding to crisis and tragedy.

  • National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

    The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) represents and supports the profession of school psychology by advancing effective practices to improve students' learning, behavior and mental health, and by maintaining essential standards for ethics and practice.

  • National Association of School Nurses (NASN)

    The NASN website offers resources for supporting children’s mental health.

  • American School Counselor Association

    The American School Counselor Association offers advocacy and resources for school counselors.

Smartphone Apps

  • MY3 Phone App

    With the MY3 phone app for at risk youth and adults, you define your support network and your plan to stay safe. With MY3 you can be prepared to help yourself and reach out to others when you are having thoughts of suicide.

  • Virtual Hope Box (Apple App Store)

    The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers with simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. The VHB provides help with emotional regulation and coping with stress via personalized supportive audio, video, pictures, games, mindfulness exercises, positive messages and activity planning, inspirational quotes, coping statements, and other tools.

  • Virtual Hope Box (Google Play Store)

    The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers with simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. The VHB provides help with emotional regulation and coping with stress via personalized supportive audio, video, pictures, games, mindfulness exercises, positive messages and activity planning, inspirational quotes, coping statements, and other tools.

  • A Friend Asks

    A Friend Asks is a smartphone application, provided by the Jason Foundation, which is designed with information and resources for users to help a friend or themselves who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. The application provides information with regards to warning signs of suicidal ideation, how to help and get help, and what to say.