School is starting up again, and at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we know mental health is just as important as physical health for young people in school environments. Data shows that suicide is a leading cause of death for children and teens. But we also know from research that certain tools and best practices can often help to prevent suicide, and improve mental health awareness in schools.
A Mother's Perspective:
For an article on our Real Stories blog, mother and suicide loss survivor Wendy Sefcik wrote about the importance of making mental health and suicide prevention education a priority in schools:
"Opening up a dialogue about the importance of taking care of mental health, and knowing how to ask for and connect to support is everyone’s responsibility. Schools play an important role in educating youth about their mental health and how to connect to resources. Research shows that when kids are mentally well, they can perform better in academics and all areas of life."
For a list of resources to help you learn more about mental health, suicide prevention, and loss support in schools, as well as public policy work related to this topic, you can read our recent blog roundup: "Suicide Prevention Resources for Back-to-School Season." This roundup highlights useful information for young children and teens, parents and guardians, as well as educators and other school personnel, including:
"K-12 School Suicide Prevention" –– 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.
It's Real –– A series of suicide prevention education programs intended for young people. These programs help raise awareness about mental health issues commonly experienced by middle school, high school, and college students.
More Than Sad –– A set of suicide prevention education programs designed for parents, teachers, and other school personnel. These programs have helped over one million adults in school settings to understand the warning signs of suicide and take steps to prevent it.
Seize the Awkward –– A national campaign 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.
After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools –– A booklet compiled by suicide prevention experts to provide schools with practical tools and guidelines in the aftermath of a suicide. In it you can find information on how best to communicate with and support a school community in the tragic event of a student suicide.
We can all play a part in supporting youth mental health, starting today. You can find more resources like the above in "Suicide Prevention Resources for Back-to-School Season,” which we encourage you to share with others. You never know who might need it.
