Resources
Programs
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Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program
Screening for Mental Health (SMH), Inc programs include in-person and online programs for suicide prevention, depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and alcohol problems. SMH offers middle and high school versions of the evidence-based Signs of Suicide program.
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Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders in their community. This website also offers information on Youth Mental Health First Aid, which has a focus for training parents and school staff members who have no prior mental health training.
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Reconnecting Youth: A Peer Group Approach to Building Life Skills (RY)
RY is a school-based prevention program for high school students. This evidence-based program teaches students resiliency against risk factors and control for early signs of emotional distress and substance use. RY is for youth who demonstrate low academic achievement, poor attendance, and are at-risk for dropout.
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Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
QPR Online Gatekeeper Training is a 60-minute training designed to increase a person’s knowledge about suicidal behavior and help identify and refer a person who may be suicidal to support. There is a cost for this training.
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Kognito At-Risk for High School Educators
Kognito At-Risk for High School Educators is a 60-minute, online, interactive gatekeeper training program that teaches high school staff to identify approach and refer students who are exhibiting signs of emotional distress and suicidal ideation. This evidence-based program is self-paced and includes role-play practice conversation with a student avatar.
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Transforming Communities
This toolkit from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention outlines elements of comprehensive community-based suicide prevention.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI’s efforts are focused on educating America about mental illness, supporting mental health in schools, and advocacy for mental health as a national priority. NAMI offers a variety of peer education and training programs, initiatives and services for students, parents, family members, health care providers, and the public. NAMI’s advocacy is based on grassroots leaders who work to influence national public policy.
Smartphone Apps
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Parent Engagement
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Parent Event Toolkit: What I Wish My Parents Knew
This parent engagement event toolkit was first implemented by the Poway Unified School District in San Diego County and is on the Each Mind Matters website.
Student Engagement
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More than Sad, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Program for students, parents and teachers on signs of depression and other mental health problems, how to initiate a conversation about mental health and how to get help. (Cost involved)
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Leads for Youth
LEADS curriculum is intended for students in grades 9-12 and creates opportunities for conversations within the classroom around suicide and depression and the stigma surrounding suicide. Included in the curriculum is a Teacher’s Guide, group and individual activities, suicide prevention resources and a template for a school suicide crisis management plan. (Cost involved)
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Friend to Friend
Online simulation for youth to learn to recognize and help when your friend is struggling with mental health. (Cost involved)
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NAMI Ending The Silence Presentations
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation series for students, families or staff that help audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental illness. (Cost involved)
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Walk in Our Shoes website
The Walk in Our Shoes website uses real stories from teens to teach youth about mental health challenges. The website includes lesson plans and activities. (Free)
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PAX Good Behavior Game
PAX is a classroom game kit that teaches elementary students self-regulation, self-control, and self-management. (Cost involved)
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Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
Yellow Ribbon has high school, elementary school and adult curricula that empower youth/young people, their parents and adults who work with youth in learning how to confront the issues of suicide and suicide prevention. (Cost involved)
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Trevor Project, Lifeguard Workshop
Video, curricula and classroom activities for middle and high schools students and their teachers. (Free)
Staff Training Online
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QPR Online Gatekeeper Training
Training Includes: How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal; How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide; The common causes of suicidal behavior; The warning signs of suicide; and How to get help for someone in crisis. 60-90 minute gatekeeper training can be free through the LA County Department of Mental Health. Contact SuicidePrevention@dmh.lacounty.gov for additional information. (Cost involved)
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Suicide Prevention Policies & California Schools Webinar
This webinar will include information regarding this new law and practical information to help you develop a policy to prevent student suicides. Topics include: AB 2246 – Requirements & Resources; Warning Signs; Protective Factors; and Postvention Toolkit. (Free)
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Signs Matter: Early Detection
The program presents scientifically based information on a variety of topics related to youth suicide, alongside best practice recommendations drawn from experts in the mental health and education fields. (Cost involved)
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At-Risk For PK-12 Educators
A suite of products to teach PK-12 educators about mental health and suicide prevention which supports improved student wellness and school safety. (Cost involved)
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LA County Department of Mental Health Training Partners
To learn more about any of the above trainings or to make a training request, please contact us at Suicideprevention@dmh.lacounty.gov
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The Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Trainings
The Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center offers trainings in suicide prevention and treatment. The Length of trainings and costs varies. For more information or to schedule a training contact 310-895-2329 CEUs
Teacher Lesson Plans
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PBS Suicide Prevention
For students from 7-12th grade. It takes one or two 50-minute periods for activity plus 30 minutes for viewing the PBD video. (Free)
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PBS Videos
Videos include In the Mix: Depression On the Edge and Dealing with Death.
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Kids Health Grades 9-12 Suicide Prevention
Lesson plan for grades 9-12. (Free)
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Kids Health Grades 6-8 Suicide Prevention
Lesson plan for grades -8. (Free)
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Directing Change Suicide Prevention Lesson Plan Guide
Teaches warning signs and how to offer or gain help. Includes optional activities. The PowerPoint presentation and lesson plan can also be accessed at:
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Choices 2: Reaching Out
Crisis Centre video and workshop package prepares youth to reach out to get help for themselves and their peers to overcome suicidal feelings. Includes young adults whose lives were touched by suicide. (Cost Involved)
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A Cry for Help
For middle and high school, A Cry for Help educates young people to recognize the signs of depression and suicide in their peers. It includes a video and resource guide. (Cost involved)
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Response (Columbia Care)
Response is a comprehensive high school based suicide prevention program designed to increase awareness, heighten sensitivity to depression and suicidal ideation, change attitudes, and offer response procedures to refer a student at risk for suicide. It includes: an Implementation Manual; video; four 50-minute lesson plans; and an In-Service Manual for delivering a 2-hour staff training. (Cost involved)
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Student short films for lessons