1. School-Based Suicide Prevention: Getting Started in Your Community
Colleen O’Connor, CADC, CPS
NAMI Ending the Silence Coordinator, Project Oz
Joanne Glancy, CPS
Manager of Prevention Services, Project Oz

3. Benefits of Universal school-based programs
Reach the majority of youth in a community
Prepare all students to assist or ask for help
Identify and assist students currently struggling
Increase awareness of school and community resources
Improve school performance by addressing mental health concerns early

4. Overview of universal suicide prevention programs
Look Listen Link (4 classes)
Break Free from Depression (4 classes)
LEADS (Linking Education and Awareness of Depression and Suicide) (4 classes)
Lifelines Curriculum (4 classes)
SOS Signs of Suicide (2 classes)
NAMI Ending the Silence (1-2 classes)
Overview of universal suicide prevention programs

5. Collaboration is key
During initial organization, find your natural partners
NAMI affiliates
Crisis teams
Mental health service providers
Prevention education providers
Psychology and health professors

6. Delivered in 1-2 class periods, usually in health class
Features stories of hope and recovery from trained volunteers living with mental illness
Includes education for parents and school staff
Program goals:
Increase help-seeking behavior
Increase knowledge of warning signs
Decrease stigma against mental illness
Increase hope for the future

7. Educational PowerPoint presentation (25 minutes)
Story of Hope and Recovery (10 minutes)
Q&A (10 minutes)
Evaluation (5 minutes)
Optional: Day 2 Activity (50 minutes)

8. SOME OF THE 10 KEY MESSAGES
Mental illness is a medical illness like any other physical illness.
There are specific, observable early warning signs of mental illness. You can help yourself and your friends by being aware of these signs and making sure treatment is sought as soon as possible.

9. SOME OF THE 10 KEY MESSAGES
If you notice these warning signs in yourself or a friend, it’s important to tell a trusted adult as soon as possible. Don’t keep warning signs a secret.
Recovery is possible. There is hope.

10. Activity Unique to our community Students practice:
Choosing coping skills
Identifying warning signs
Locating resources
Helping a friend

11. Approaching schools Reach out to school staff Health teachers
School counselors
Principals or other administrators
Establish or review mental health and suicide protocol with the administration and guidance department

12. Role of Volunteers
What can they do?
Recruitment
Screening
Training
Coordination
Supervision

13. Start Small Received pilot funding to train volunteers
Acquired $ to start in two schools
Word spread to other schools
Shared outcomes with stakeholder group
Applied for and received funding to serve all public districts in McLean County

14. with potential funders:
Share program outcomes
with potential funders:
98% of students agreed: “As a result of this presentation, I know how to help myself or a friend if I notice any of these warning signs.”
“The presenters did a great job not just telling us the facts, but also being strong enough to tell us their stories. I think this is a great program and I really hope this helps people all over the country.”

15. assess community needs
Find support/documentation that is already in place to assist you
What does your community health needs assessment show?
Role of the County Health Improvement Plan
Expand your natural partners

16. IDENTIFY PARTNERS WHO SHARE SIMILAR GOALS
Such as:
Local healthcare organizations
State, county, and local government agencies
University leaders
Suicide prevention and mental health nonprofit organizations and coalitions
Local community foundations
Community advocates
Survivors of suicide loss groups
Mental health support groups
IDENTIFY PARTNERS WHO SHARE SIMILAR GOALS

17. Know the cost per school
Staff time in hours
Printing and mileage
(for students, staff, ___and recruitment)

18. Wrap up: Practical FIRST STEPS
Assess current community efforts and identify natural partners
Identify stakeholders and potential partners
Find information on your local community foundation and other local potential funding sources
Pull a stakeholders group together or address this topic in an existing group

19. Practical PROGRAM strategies
Communicate with schools to assess need
Choose an evidence-based program
Identify who will teach the program
Prepare and train the teachers

20. McLean County Behavioral Health In Schools Partnership
11 Human Service agencies
2 Hospitals
Five school districts
Special Education Co-op
County Board members
One University
County Health Department
Regional Office of Education
McLean County Behavioral Health In Schools Partnership

21. Thank you for your time today Coconnor@projectoz.org

22. Supplemental material examples follow

23. Student evaluation Collect data and feedback
Optional opportunity for students to ask for help (unique to our community)
Demographics 

24. Handout: how to help a friend

25. Handout: Family 
Prepares families to respond to mental health challenges
Sent to families of all participating students via Skyward
Provides information about warning signs and local resources 
Includes an optional portion to sign and return to teacher for assignment or extra credit

26. Handout: school staff Unique to our community
Prepares school staff to respond to mental health challenges 
Provides education about warning signs 
Customized for each school's specific mental health and suicide prevention protocols 

27. Student Feedback
“I think about suicide a lot. Today, I learned that I have reasons not to kill myself.”
“I feel like this presentation just saved people in this room.”
“I’ve been struggling, and you inspired me to tell someone about my feelings.”
“You made us feel like we matter.”
“Thank you for telling me that it’s going to get better. I really needed to hear that.”
“I felt sad before, but now I feel strong.”
“I think that this program could change the world.”

28. Counselor Feedback
“I would like to see this program at every junior high and high school! We have lots of mental health issues in our district, and this program is a huge asset. The story of hope following the educational component was super impactful. Speaking with students, they all left the presentation feeling hopeful but also educated. It’s been an excellent conversation starter for our teachers in their classes as well. Many students have shared that they “needed” to hear this at this time in their lives.”
Kristina McDowell
Guidance Counselor, Ridgeview Jr./Sr. High School

29. Erin F., mother of participating 6th grade student
Parent Feedback
“My son still brings up points made in conversations you sparked in his class. It is so important to teach and nurture all parts of these kids. Your work is hard and important and I’m so glad you are good at it. These kids and families need you.”
Erin F., mother of participating 6th grade student