Healing in the Collective
Diverse communities, such as our students of color, LGBTQ+ students and others, are uniquely impacted by mental health concerns and suicidal ideation due to various compounding factors. Racial trauma, socio-economic gaps, poor access to mental health care, lack of culturally sensitive resources, and lack of family/peer acceptance are just a few factors that work to increase the risk in members of these diverse populations. This complicates the process for members of these communities to build a competent, caring community, which is critical to suicide prevention by offering a climate where young people feel comfortable, respected and supported in reaching out to a trusted adult when facing difficulties. This workshop will assist participants in building empathic bridges to diverse communities by utilizing cultural humility, evidence-based practices and strengths-based perspectives, resulting in a competent community focused on suicide prevention. Participants will analyze their role in building this competent community and will learn strategies to engage youth in high risk populations, such as creating safe spaces that allow all underrepresented voices to be heard.
Raising Resilient Teens In Challenging Times
This program educates parents on the warning signs of suicide, dispels myths, and encourages parents to speak to their children about suicide prevention, while providing direction on how to have the conversation with their teens.
The Role of the Trusted Adult Presentation
This presentation educates those viewed by youth as role models (coaches, teachers, etc) on how to respond to at-risk youth. Participants learn how to engage with at-risk youth, confidentiality, warning signs and risk factors of youth suicide, protective factors and resources. This information empowers trusted adults to take action when a youth comes to them about either a friend talking about suicide or themselves.
Making Youth Agencies Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention
Similar to Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention, this program achieves three essential goals which further the mission of SPTS: increase awareness of teen suicide; outline the agency role in prevention; and review strategies for dealing with at-risk youth.
