NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps middle and high school aged youth learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps middle and high school aged youth learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.
Talk Saves Lives is AFSP’s standardized, 45-60 minute education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe. All modules are 45-6o minutes duration and free of charge. The standard Talk Saves Lives presentation is also available in Spanish.
More than Sad is an initiative created by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to train parents and educators to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness, depression and suicide. Parents More Than Sad: Parent Education is an approximately 90-minute program that teaches parents how to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems; initiate a conversation about mental health with their child; and get help. This program focuses on parents and guardians of teen youth. This presentation is also available in Spanish. Teachers More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention Education for Teachers and Other School Personnel is an approximately 120-minute program that teaches educators to recognize signs of mental health distress in students and refer them for help. This suicide prevention program complies with the requirements for teacher education training in many states. This program focuses on high school teachers and other school personnel. Contact your local chapter (https://afsp.org/find-a-local-chapter) or contact the Virginia office below to bring More than Sad to your school or community:
The AFSP-produced film It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health is 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. By featuring real stories and experiences, It’s Real conveys that depression and other mental health conditions are real illnesses that can be managed through specific treatments and interventions. It encourages students to be mindful of the state of their mental health, to acknowledge and recognize when they are struggling, and to take steps to seek help. This 17-minute film is accompanied by facilitator’s tools and resources, including a Facilitator’s Guide containing talking points and additional information, and is intended as a group presentation. The film and facilitator tools may be purchased in either DVD or Digital Download formats.
Online suicide prevention training for K-12 educators. 2-hour long online training. Signs Matter was developed based on a combination of science and best practice. The program presents scientifically based information on a variety of topics related to youth suicide, alongside best practice recommendations drawn from experts in the mental health and education fields. Science sheds light on key questions of risk and protective factors for youth suicide, as well as the most common behavioral presentations expressed by at risk youth. Recommendations for school personnel roles, support, referrals, and interventions are drawn from best practices of educational and mental health experts. Single licenses can be purchased for $35 per license. (Note: discounts in bulk purchases – could explore potential for cost assistance from the local chapter)
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Language Access: This course is also available in Spanish!
How Youth Mental Health First Aid Can Help
Lock & Talk is a suicide prevention initiative in the state of Virginia that strives to encourage community conversation around mental wellness and promote safe care of lethal means, including firearms and medications.
They provide free:
A series of free, evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills. The project was born of an innovative partnership between the state of California and the Child Mind Institute.
Available in Spanish!
For parents: You can use these evidence-based resources to spark important conversations and teach your kids a set of essential mental health skills. 5-episode series teaching different mental health skills with corresponding activity sheets available for elementary, middle school and high school -aged children.
For educators: These evidence-based resources can help you teach your students the mental health skills they need to be more ready to learn. 5-episode series teaching different mental health skills with corresponding activity sheets available for elementary, middle school and high school -aged children.
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition
Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible.
Tests available: depression, postpartum depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, psychosis and schizophrenia, PTSD, eating disorder, addiction and self-injury behaviors.
Parent test available for parent’s to screen their child’s mental health
Spanish tests available for depression and anxiety.
After your mental health test, you will see information, resources, and tools to help you understand and improve your mental health
Please note: Online screening tools are meant to be a quick snapshot of your mental health. If your results indicate you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, consider sharing your results with someone. A mental health provider (such as a doctor or a therapist) can give you a full assessment and talk to you about options for how to feel better.
This website is an informational resource. They are not a crisis support line. If you need immediate help, you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or using the chat box at 988lifeline.org/chat. You can also text “MHA” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Warmlines are an excellent place for non-crisis support.
Organization providing impactful resources for parents and educators, including
Government organization leading the public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Information, and resources made available. Also available in Spanish.