Horne partners with nonprofit JED Foundation to combat teen suicide

Effort helps school-based health workers address challenges

PHOENIX – Arizona schools now have more training options for helping school mental health professionals better identify, screen, and refer students who may be at risk for suicide, according to state schools chief Tom Horne. 

Horne said, “Across student age groups, suicide is one of the leading causes of death. It is imperative that our mental health professionals are provided with the latest information to help recognize, and the best practices to respond to, the warning signs that may help families avert these devastating tragedies.”

The Department of Education is in a multi-year partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens and young adults nationwide. This initiative, which complies with state law (ARS 15-120) will equip school-based mental health professionals statewide with an evidence-informed suicide prevention training course.

Nearly 1 in 4 Arizona students seriously consider attempting suicide each year, and 10 percent make an attempt. ADE partnered with JED to develop a customized training initiative.

The two-hour course, Suicide Prevention for Arizona School Mental Health Professionals, will train participants to:

• Identify signs of self-injury and crisis, including signs of suicidal thoughts or intense emotional distress.
• Understand the role of suicide risk screening in a comprehensive prevention approach and learn how to administer screening tools.
• Take action when a student is in crisis by engaging the support team, ensuring immediate safety, and documenting and following school protocols (or helping to establish protocols, when needed).

“School-based mental health supports are critical to student well-being, stronger academic outcomes, and preparing young people for the workforce and future opportunities," said Dr. Tony Walker, senior vice president of school programs and consulting at JED. “We’re proud to partner with ADE and help to ensure Arizona's school-based mental health professionals are prepared and confident to identify warning signs, act quickly in a crisis, and connect students to the right support so they can thrive in school and in life.”