Suicide Prevention Resources for Back-to-School Season
August 7, 2024 – 4 min read
By AFSP
It’s back-to-school season, which means children, teens, and young adults across the country are preparing for another school year, and so are their families and school communities. Back-to-school prep often means school supply runs and physical health check-ups, but it should also mean checking in with youth about their mental health. Young people juggle quite a bit, and are at a time of life when emotions run high –– so it's important that caretakers and authority figures know how to spot the warning signs of suicide, and start open and honest discussions with youth about their mental health.
Addressing suicide prevention in K-12 schools is one of AFSP's top public policy priorities, because data shows that suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 19. This statistic points to a serious public health issue, but one that research shows can often be prevented. To learn more about our findings and policy position with K-12 schools, you can visit our "K-12 School Suicide Prevention" webpage, or download the issue brief.
Below is a list of AFSP's suicide prevention programs and resources specifically for school communities. We encourage you to take a look, and share the link with friends and family.
Education Programs
It's Real
It's Real is a series of suicide prevention education programs designed to raise awareness about mental health issues commonly experienced by students, and is intended to be used as part of a school’s educational program to encourage help-seeking.
The It's Real series includes College Students and Mental Health, Teens and Mental Health for High School Students, and Teens and Mental Health for Middle School Students. These facilitations teach students what mental health is, how to notice the warning signs of a mental health struggle, tips for having a conversation with someone they're worried about, and how to seek help when necessary.
More Than Sad
More Than Sad is a set of suicide prevention education programs that have helped over one million parents, teachers, and other school personnel to understand the warning signs of suicide and take steps to prevent it.
More Than Sad: Parent Education is a 90-minute program, available in both English and Spanish, focused on parents and guardians of teens that helps them to recognize the warning signs of suicide, initiate a conversation about mental health with their child, and connect them to professional mental health care.
More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention Education for Teachers and Other School Personnel is a 120-minute program focused on high school teachers and other high school personnel. This training, which complies with the requirements for teacher education training in many states, teaches educators to recognize the warning signs of suicide in students and refer them for professional help.
Toolkits and Resources
After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools was created by AFSP and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to provide schools with practical tools and guidelines in the aftermath of a suicide. In the toolkit, you can find information on how best to communicate and support the school community and manage the crisis response, as well as information on helping students cope, communicating with parents, working with the community, and engaging external resources for support.
Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
The Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention is a collaborative effort by AFSP, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Institute of Mental Health to support pediatric health clinicians and other health professionals in identifying strategies and key partnerships to support youth at risk for suicide. Suicide is complex but often preventable, and this educational resource shows how pediatric health clinicians, adults working with youth in school and community settings, families, and peers can play a critical role in identifying and supporting youth at risk for suicide.
Children, Teens, and Suicide Loss
Children, Teens, and Suicide Loss is an educational resource booklet created by AFSP and Dougy Center to support families of young suicide loss survivors and better support their complex practical and emotional needs. In this booklet, you can find practical advice on guiding young people through grief after a suicide loss, and creating techniques for children and teens to cope in settings like attending a funeral and returning to school.
Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention
The Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention offers educators and school administrators a comprehensive, coordinated plan to implement suicide prevention policies in their local community. The program draws on collective expertise from the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, and The Trevor Project, and is easily adaptable for middle and high schools. In the program, you can find actionable steps to support school personnel, sample language for student handbooks, suggestions for involving parents and guardians in suicide prevention, and guidance for addressing in-school suicide attempts.
Seize the Awkward
Seize the Awkward is a national campaign by AFSP, Ad Council, and the Jed Foundation that encourages young adults to help friends who are struggling with mental health. Through its website and social media channels, you can find helpful, easy-to-ready guidelines on learning the signs of a mental health struggle, starting a conversation about mental health, and best practices for how to navigate the conversation both during and after.