School Resources
Schools serve as critical hubs for identifying and addressing mental health challenges among students. By prioritizing suicide prevention initiatives, schools not only fulfill their duty of care to students but also contribute to building resilient communities where every young person feels valued, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed.
Moreover, suicide prevention in Arizona schools is essential for fostering a culture of openness and support around mental health. By implementing evidence-based prevention programs and providing staff with specialized training, schools create environments where students feel safe to discuss their feelings, seek help, and access the support they need to thrive. Beyond saving lives, suicide prevention efforts in schools lay the foundation for promoting mental wellness, resilience, and connectedness among students, ultimately shaping a brighter future for Arizona’s youth. Staff Trainings: In Arizona, as part of the Mitch Warnock Act, the state requires school staff to undergo approved suicide prevention trainings to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to recognize the warning signs of suicide and intervene effectively. Some of the state-approved suicide prevention trainings for school staff include: 1. ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training): • ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop that provides participants with practical skills to intervene and provide support to individuals at risk of suicide. This training is widely recognized and approved by the Arizona Department of Education. 2. SafeTALK: • SafeTALK is a half-day alertness training that teaches participants how to recognize the signs of suicide and connect individuals to appropriate resources. It is designed to complement the ASIST training and is approved for school staff in Arizona. 3. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training: • QPR Gatekeeper Training is a one-to-two-hour training that teaches participants how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, ask about suicidal thoughts, persuade individuals to seek help, and refer them to appropriate resources. It is approved by the Arizona Department of Education for school staff. 4. More Than Sad: • More Than Sad is a suicide prevention training program developed specifically for school staff by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). It provides participants with practical strategies for identifying and supporting students at risk of suicide. For a complete list of approved trainings: AZ AHCCCS AZ ED For Downloadable Resources: Dougy Center Surviving a Suicide Loss, Model School Policy & After a Suicide ToolkitTeen Lifeline Youth & Adult TrainingTeen Lifeline Resource ListLa Frontera, EMPACT-SPC Student Resource Sheet |
It is essential for school staff to undergo state-approved suicide prevention trainings regularly to ensure they are equipped to respond effectively to students in crisis. These trainings not only empower staff to recognize the warning signs of suicide but also provide them with the confidence to intervene and connect students to life-saving resources and support services.
Suicide Prevention Education for Students: Signs of Suicide: Mindwise It's Real: AFSP To schedule a presentation: [email protected] Crisis resources specifically tailored for youth in Arizona: 1. Teen Lifeline: • Phone: 602-248-8336 or 800-248-8336 • Outside of Arizona/Nationally: 1-877-YOUTHLINE or 1-800-SUICIDE • Text: Text “TEEN” to 839863 • Teen Lifeline provides peer-to-peer crisis counseling and support services for teens in Arizona. Trained teen volunteers are available to listen and provide assistance. teenlifeline.org Additional Resources: 2. Solari: • Phone: 844-534-4673 or TTY: 800-327-9254 • Text: Text "HOPE" to 44673• Solari offers crisis intervention and support services, including mobile teams that can respond in crisis situations throughout Arizona. solari-inc.org 3. Mercy Care 24/7 Crisis Line: • Phone: 800-631-1314 or TTY/TDD: 800-327-9254 • Mercy Care’s 24/7 Crisis Line offers immediate crisis intervention and support for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Mercy Care Crisis Line Information 4. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): • Phone: 800-950-6264 (Teen & Young Adult Helpline) Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET • Text: Text "Helpline" to 62640 • NAMI provides support, education, and advocacy aimed at promoting mental health and preventing suicide among families in Arizona. namiarizona.org 5. The Trevor Project: • Phone: 866-488-7386 • Text: 678678 • The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round. thetrevorproject.org Suicide and grief support resources: 1. Healing Conversations: Offered by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Healing Conversations connect survivors of suicide loss with trained volunteers who have experienced similar losses. These one-on-one conversations provide a safe space for youth and teens to share their feelings, ask questions, and find comfort and understanding. AFSP Healing Conversations Suicide Bereavement Trained Clinicians: AFSP List 2. The New Song Center for Grieving Children: New Song Center is open to any child, teen, and young adult who is grieving the death of a loved one—regardless of whether Hospice of the Valley cared for that family member. There is no cost to attend New Song support groups or activities. New Song Center also support schools, businesses and community groups that need grief counseling or education. Contact: 480-951-8985 3. Billy's Place: Billy’s Place is a community in the West Valley that provides comfort and companionship to kids and families experiencing grief—no matter where they are on their journey. Billy's Place offers support groups, special events, and a community of people who ‘get it,’ helping families rediscover moments of happiness without guilt. Contact: 623-414-9838 4. Tu Nidito: Tu Nidito offers open-ended bereavement support groups that meet twice per month in person and offer a safe place to share thoughts and feelings with others who are experiencing a similar situation. Children and teens, ages 4 -18, and their families, learn coping tools and are provided with resources to help them feel less alone in their grief. tunidito.org 5. Online Support Communities: Online support communities and forums, such as the Suicide Grief Support Forum by Alliance of Hope, offer a virtual space for youth and teens to connect with others who have experienced similar losses. These communities provide a platform for sharing stories, seeking advice, and finding support from peers and trained moderators. allianceofhope.org 6. Stepping Stones of Hope: Stepping Stones of Hope is a camp for children and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. The camp provides opportunities for youth to express their feelings, build connections with others who understand their grief, and participate in therapeutic activities in a supportive outdoor setting. steppingstonesofhope.org These grief support resources aim to provide youth, teens, and families in Arizona with the guidance, understanding, and the community they need to cope with the loss of a loved one. By connecting with others who share similar experiences and accessing professional support, young survivors can find healing and hope in their journey of grief. |