The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.
To help students cope with stress and trauma from the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts across the country are increasing support for student mental health this fall. These additional supports should be aligned with the districts’ overall mission and part of its suicide prevention plan.
Schools are a key setting for suicide prevention. Teachers, mental health providers, and all other school personnel who interact with students can play an important role in not only keeping students safe but promoting emotional well-being and connectedness for all students.
The best way to prevent suicide is for school districts to adopt a comprehensive, culturally relevant, evidence-based approach that identifies students who might be at-risk for suicide and assists them in getting help and responds when a suicide death occurs.
The School-Based Suicide Prevention Learning Collaborative (LC) is designed to help school districts apply process improvement principles to their current suicide prevention policies with the goal of enhancing their comprehensive suicide plan districtwide. The LC will include 12 weekly collaborative learning sessions focused on the key components of an effective school-based suicide prevention plan followed by the NIATx Change Leader Academy, a structured, team-based approach to change management in which districts will build capacity, identify, and commit to measurable and sustainable improvements to their suicide prevention plan.
At the end of the Learning Collaborative, participants will be able to:
School district leaders in districts with existing suicide prevention policies and that want to improve/refine their policies and implement a district-wide plan.
All participants must commit to attend all sessions (October – May). Each district is strongly encouraged to assemble a team of 2–2 members who will participate in all sessions.
1 weekly 1-hr learning sessions led by subject matter content expert:
Wednesdays, October 20, 2021 – January 26, 2022 (9–10am, CST)
4 weekly 1.5-hr Change Leader Academy sessions led by process improvement expert:
Wednesdays, February 2, 2022 – February 23, 2022 (9–10:30am, CST)
Two 1-hr group coaching sessions:
March 2, 2022 & April 6, 2022 (9–10am, CST)
Individual coaching sessions: March – April 2022
Wrap-up: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
All School-Based Suicide Prevention Learning Collaborative sessions will be virtual. For the best learning experience, participants are encouraged to log on through a desktop computer or laptop. Participants will be expected to complete all pre-work and assignments.
Certificates of attendance will be emailed to all participants who attend the learning collaborative in full.
