Introduction to Youth Suicide Prevention (Webcast)

This presentation covers suicide misconceptions and current suicide terminology, the scope of the problem, youth suicide research findings, specific suicide prevention information, action steps of which staff should be proactively aware in the event of a crisis, and a template for planning a suicide postvention team at a youth program. This session was recorded in July of 2023.

This presentation is brought to you in part by the collaboration of the AFSP-OSHA Partnership. This presentation consists of material edited for Division of Youth Services applicability from a YouthBuild plenary written by Amanda Brenner, U.S. Department of Labor, with a template and additional graphics and material from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention education programs, Talk Saves Lives and More than Sad, with full permissions.

• Self-Care Handout: There are abundant examples of materials circulating in mental health spaces that offer proactive self-care strategies like establishing good sleep habits and eating nutritious foods. This list augments those points with mental and social ideas for self-care which may be equally protective of mental wellness and may provide minor to moderate assistance to those already feeling less than their best.

• Suicide Misconceptions and Language Handout: This sheet pulls misconception and language use information directly from the webcast and organizes it into a shareable format. The topics covered in this handout include: dispelling common misconceptions about suicide, avoiding the use the use of language that promotes hurt and stigma, and encouraging the use of language to show respect and compassion, and to maintain accuracy.

• Mental Health Resources Handout (Updated 9/1/2023): This list offers a brief sample of crisis resources pulled from the DOL Youth Mental Health Resource Guide in a shareable format. Note: If you have viewed this handout previously, this version was updated on 9/1/2023 to reflect current resources and best practice terminology.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• DOL Youth Mental Health Resource Guide

• OSHA-AFSP Partnership Press Release

• Responding to Grief, Trauma, and Distress After a Suicide: U.S. National Guidelines Survivors of Suicide Loss Task Force

• WPSU PBS Speaking Grief Documentary

• SAMHSA Resources on Youth Substance Use for Caregivers, Youth Workers, and Educators

• MMHPI Video and Presentation Library on Grief

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2023
• Author(s): Division of Youth Services
• Organizational Author(s): US Department of Labor
• Posted by: Katie Mehle
• Posted in: Youth Connections