The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) website provides information for schools regarding suicide prevention and awareness. Linked here is a document with additional details about effective mental health prevention and intervention approaches. KDE also partners with other stakeholders to offer two trainings which may be of help when dealing with suicide prevention:
· Through the Kentucky Project AWARE grant, Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings are offered to school and district staff. Contact Kathryn Tillett at (502) 564-4970, ext. 4141 for more information.
· Partnering with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Sources of Strength peer-led suicide prevention program trainings are offered to school and district staff. Contact Rae Burgess at (502) 564-4772, ext.4019 or Doug Roberts at (502) 564-4772, ext. 4055 for more information.
The National Association of School Psychologists offers guidance for schools and families including a talking points handout which educators and families can use to start a dialogue about the series. “Five Ways K-12 Schools Can Support Youth Suicide Prevention” offers suggestions for schools to support suicide prevention. “Safe and Effective Messaging for Suicide Prevention” offers evidence-based recommendations for creating safe and effective messages to raise public awareness that suicide is a serious and preventable public health problem.