Working with Schools to Reduce Suicide

Project AWARE is a federal initiative funded by SAMHSA to build and expand the partnership between education and mental health systems at both the state and local levels. The Arizona Project AWARE team is a partnership between AZ Department of Education, AHCCCS, and six local school districts. The AZ AWARE team is focused on ensuring that all AZ students and families have access to appropriate behavioral health resources, while supporting education systems in training staff and implementing school-based and community mental health service pathways. 

Arizona Project AWARE provides support and access to gatekeeper or suicide prevention trainings such as Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR, and ACT on Facts.

How can you help?

• Be trained in a free evidence-based suicide prevention training. Sign up here.
• Ask your children's school if they have a suicide prevention and postvention policy in place. If not, a template can be found here.
• If your children's school doesn't have a behavioral health provider on campus, ask leadership to make the connection. More information on how to take those steps can be found here. 
• Be an advocate for suicide prevention. Normalize conversations about mental health, thereby reducing stigma.