Coping and Support Training (CAST)

RY & CAST Programs, LLC (DBA RY Inc.)

Program Type

Education or Training Program

Cost

$1,001 to $2,500

Evidence Type

Empirically-Defined Evidence

SPRC Comprehensive Approach

Increase Help-Seeking, Life Skills and Resilience, Connectedness

Program or Intervention Summary

Coping and Support Training (CAST) is a brief, evidence-based program suitable for selective (Tier II) and indicated (Tier III) prevention among at-promise youth in schools, community programming, health care settings, or any youth-serving agency. Eligible youth are personally invited (never mandated) to join a CAST group and meet for 12, 1-hour sessions over 6-12 weeks in small groups of 6-8 youth. nnCAST addresses three program goals and targeted suicide prevention outcomes: n1. Decreased emotional distress—suicidal behaviors, depression, hopelessness, anger, anxiety; n2. Decreased drug involvement; and n3. Increased personal and support resources. nnCAST increases protective factors and decreases risk factors related to youth suicide risk. The 12 CAST sessions include group social support, developing and monitoring goals, building self-esteem, decision making, anger and depression management, school smarts, drug use control, preventing relapse, and recognizing progress.nnCAST was initially tested with 460 male/female potential school dropouts—racially/ethnically diverse, aged 14-19 years, in seven Pacific Northwest high schools—who also showed elevated suicide risk. Compared to “usual-care” controls, CAST was significantly more effective in increasing and sustaining personal control and problem-solving coping; decreasing suicidal behaviors, depression, and hopelessness; and decreasing anger and anxiety, with even greater declines for females.nnCAST is now utilized all over North America, from urban to rural settings, including on Native American land.

Type Education or Training Program
Setting Online, Community, Correctional Facility, Healthcare Facility, Inpatient mental health facility, Residential facility, PK-12 School, Social Services or Public Health, Transition Between Settings, Tribal communities, United States Territory
People People Who Live in Urban Areas, People Who Live in Suburban Areas, Low Income
Languages English
Study Method Quantitative Design
Implementer Requirement Adults, Community Laypeople, K-12 school faculty and staff, Professional Educators, Juvenile justice professionals
Training Requirement Yes
Delivery Options In-Person, Virtual live, Hybrid
Risk and Protective Factors Previous suicide attempt, History of depression and other mental illnesses, Substance use, Social isolation, Effective coping and problem-solving skills, Strong sense of cultural identity

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