Overview
A series of online suicide prevention modules are available to assist school and district staff. We know that all staff play a part in suicide prevention efforts. Training and making resources available and accessible are essential steps. In addition, establishing systems through policy and planning of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention programming, practices, and approaches aligned with a comprehensive school mental health framework improves student mental health outcomes.
Online Training Modules
- Gatekeeper Training Module
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An important step in protecting all students from the dangers of suicide is the ability to recognize the warning signs of suicide ideation and take appropriate steps to keep a suicidal student safe. This new, interactive suicide prevention gatekeeper module helps schools and districts train their students and staff. The module takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
This brief module for all adults who work or volunteer in schools teaches a simple and effective skill for suicide prevention: ACT.
A = Acknowledge the signs and symptoms
C = show Care and Concern for the person
T = Tell someone who knows how to intervene (pupil services staff)In this module, relevant data about youth suicide in Wisconsin is discussed along with risk factors, warning signs, and suggested methods for dealing with suicidal students including ACT: Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. ACT is a central skill taught in an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program called SOS-Signs of Suicide. SOS has been shown to reduce suicidal acts in youth. It is also an important skill for adults to know and be able to do.
Other Resources for Gatekeeper Training
QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer Trainers in Wisconsin - School-based Suicide Prevention: Overview and Connections
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This module seeks to provide a brief overview of youth suicide and to make connections with some programming and opportunities you may already be implementing in school to leverage as access points for protecting vulnerable students from the suicide cycle. (approximately 40 minutes)
- School-based Suicide Prevention: Policy and Planning
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This module seeks to provide resources and tools for schools to use as they engage in their comprehensive suicide prevention policy and planning process. (approximately 25 minutes)
- School-based Suicide Prevention: Prevention Programming
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This module seeks to provide a process for developing effecting suicide prevention strategies with best practices to help schools systematically identify, implement and monitor a suicide prevention program. (approximately 45 minutes)
- School-based Suicide Prevention: Postvention
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This module seeks to provide resources and guidance that inform and assist schools in designing postvention protocols in response to the tragic event of a student or staff member taking their own life. (approximately 25 minutes)
- Suicide Prevention Curriculum in Health Education: Overview
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This module is for health educators, student services professionals, and administrators collaborating on suicide prevention curriculum implementation. Connections between the required suicide prevention instruction and other school based mental health systems are detailed, along with the role of health educators and student service professionals in systems alignment and implementation. (approximately 30 min)
School Staff Supplemental Training
- Staff Suicide Prevention Review Presentation
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This PowerPoint presentation is designed to help districts increase staff knowledge about suicide prevention, school-specific protocols, and available resources. It is intended to supplement, not supplant Gatekeeper training. Districts and schools are encouraged to use this presentation annually, in addition to sharing the annual model notice and promoting Gatekeeper Training for all staff. The presentation can be adapted by adding, removing, or editing slides to fit local needs.