Time: 6-7 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. HT / 9-10 a.m. ChT

Join Leah Harris and Kelechi Ubozoh in exploring what a trauma-informed suicide prevention approach for educators might look like. This webinar will begin with the perspective of a young person with lived experience of suicidal thoughts.  Presenters will identify common myths and misconceptions about students and suicide, and explore the vital importance of including students as partners in suicide prevention efforts. Examples of promising student-led initiatives, including peer-to-peer programs and school awareness campaigns, will be provided.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Identify several myths or stereotypes about suicide and students
• Explore a framework for understanding suicide prevention through a trauma-informed and healing-centered lens
• Understand the links between trauma, toxic stress and suicide and the latest findings in neuroscience that cite connectedness as a vital protective factor
• Describe the central values of trauma-informed practice and how to apply them to suicide prevention efforts in educational settings
• Name examples of model student-led suicide prevention programs and campaigns

Open to participants of all experience and knowledge levels.

This is the second session in the Mental Health Literacy & Student Learning Outcomes webinar series.

About the Presenters

Leah Harris, MA is a  mother, writer, and suicide attempt survivor who is passionate about trauma-informed and social justice-based approaches to suicide prevention. She is a consultant and trainer in trauma-informed approaches across sectors and communities, including education, health care, and human services. She serves on the consumer/survivor subcommittee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and was a member of the Attempt Survivors Task force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Ms. Harris received the first prize in the 2018 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest sponsored by the American Association of Suicidology. Her story is featured in The S Word, a documentary about suicide.

Kelechi Ubozoh is a nationally recognized suicide prevention advocate and was featured in the SAMSHA Award-Winning documentary, The S Word, which follows the lives of suicide attempt survivors in an effort to end the stigma and silence around suicide. This year her story of recovery was featured in O, The Oprah Magazine. In July of 2019, her book with co-editor L.D. Green, We’ve Been Too Patient will be released from North Atlantic Books and Penguin Random House. We’ve Been Too Patient is a collection of diverse stories of radical healing and consider the recent movement towards reform in the mental health field, including the consumer movement, peer support, and trauma-informed care.  Last year, Ms. Ubozoh appeared on CBS This Morning with Gayle King, Good Morning America, and ABC Channel 7 News to support a national conversation about suicide prevention. She currently works at CalMHSA as the Tech Suite Peer and Community Engagement Manger.