1.

Educate, educate, educate - school staff, parents & community, AND students about suicide

A Suicide Education Program Must:  Provide info on a yearly basis 

Provide frequent reminders of support available throughout the year

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Occur in a safe setting

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Address the 'suicide stigma'

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Identify the signs someone is at risk

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Empower students to speak up (If a student’s gut says something’s wrong, it probably is.)

Places to Start Show the Mayo Clinic's Teen Suicide Prevention video to students. It identifies the signs that a teen is considering suicide, as well as providing suggestions on what to say to a teen who is at risk. Encourage everyone to take the B1 Pledge with ambassadors Rascal Flatts, to help combat the 'Silent Epidemic' of youth suicide. Share the A Friend Asks App, a free app that gives info, tools, and resources to help you or a friend struggling with thoughts of suicide. Support students as peer leaders through the Sources of Strength (SOS) program. This positive program supports students as agents of change by connecting them with peers on the positive messages of hope, health, and strength.

Essential 'HELP' to Share & Post Everywhere 

Call 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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National Suicide Prevention Line: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

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Montana Suicide Hotline: http://www.suicide.org/hotlines/montana-suicide-hotlines.html

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LGBTQ Specific – Trevor Project: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

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Warning Signs Poster

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National Crisis Text Line Text 741741

2.

A comprehensive program with protocols for addressing underlying mental illness or other issues

The majority of suicides are the results of an underlying undiagnosed condition such as depression or anxiety. A behavioral program within the school that identifies clear processes and team members trained to provide or refer students to support will make sure that students at risk receive the needed care.

Programs to Get Started  

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The Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Schools provides the steps necessary to implement a comprehensive school-based suicide prevention program with other supportive resources. The Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) is a proactive program that uses the Response to Intervention model to create behavioral supports and a social culture that establishes social, emotional, and academic success for all students. The Sources of Strength program supports students as agents of change by connecting them with peers on the positive messages of hope, health, and strength.

Other Resources  OPI’s Teacher Learning Hub also offers an online course, Dealing with Grief & Loss in Adolescents. It gives participants: o An overview of grief o What grief looks like in adolescents o What you can do to support those who are grieving  The difference between being eligible for college and ready for college, discusses another piece of the puzzle when providing a school experience that gives kids connections - the idea that life skills such as perseverance, compassion, relationship skills, and self-awareness are just as important as academics.

Contacts for More Support Tracy Moseman, MT OPI, Coordinated School Health Unit Director, 406-444-3000 Erin Butts, MT OPI, School Mental Health Coordinator, 406-444-0688 Karl Rosston, MT DPHHS, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, 406-444-3349

Access OPI's Suicide Awareness and Prevention page here.