Suicide Prevention
ADE can provide Arizona school staff with required Suicide Prevention Training.
The Mitch Warnock Act, also known as A.R.S. 15-120, went into effect at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year and mandates that all Arizona school staff who interact with students in grades 6 through 12 must receive suicide prevention training at least once every three years. Each person who is required to obtain training shall complete that training at least once every three years. Read more here.
Interested in a training? Click here!
What trainings are available to school staff & community members?
There are nine approved trainings school staff can take to meet this requirement. The Arizona Department of Education's Project AWARE team currently offers two of these trainings to schools across the state. Read more below about the trainings offered by ADE.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Online with Live facilitators, 2 hours of prework, and 6-hour course. Offered by many community organizations.
Summary: Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders.
Structure: The Mental Health First Aid program is an interactive session delivered by certified trainers. The program is 12 hours and can be conducted as one 1-day seminar, two 1-day events spaced over a short period of time, or as four 3-hour sessions. Evidence BPR, SPRC, Meta-analyses, Cultural adaptability
Additional Information: http://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/mental-health-first-aid-usa
Suicide Alertness for Everyone (SafeTALK)
In-person facilitation only. Takes approximately 4 hours to complete.
Summary: You will learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.
Structure: SafeTALK is only available as an in-person training. Two instructors will lead the course. It can be completed in one day through a 4 hour session. A community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.
Additional Information: www.livingworks.net/safeTALK
What should I know about suicide prevention as a school administrator?
We recommend you our Suicide Prevention Guidance for School Leaders Webinar here: Suicide Prevention Guidance for School Leaders.
Additionally, we'll note that it is the responsibility of the school district or charter to maintain accurate records of trained personnel. School guidance counselors, teachers, principals, and other school personnel are responsible for maintaining proper documentation of their certification of completion of suicide prevention and awareness training. Like a fingerprint clearance card, these educators should maintain a personal copy of their certification as well as provide their district with a copy.
