News Type: Weekly Spark Announcement

As students and teachers head back to school, help put suicide prevention on the agenda for the new academic year by spreading the word about these resources:

• Suicide prevention resources for middle school and high school settings
• Information sheets to help high school teachers and mental health providers prevent suicide
• Resources for teens who may be at risk
• A toolkit to help middle and high schools respond to a student suicide death
• Guidance on implementing trauma-informed practices in schools

Mental Health America (MHA) has released the 2023 Back to School Toolkit to help students, caregivers, and school staff protect youth mental health in digital spaces.  

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has shared new back to school resources to build student resilience for parents, educators, kids, teens, and college students.

Suicide Prevention Month is finally here! Throughout September, join us in highlighting the ways that anyone, anywhere can get involved in suicide prevention by sharing our latest Ideas for Action and Director’s Corner.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Executive Committee (Action Alliance EXCOM) is sharing insights on preventing suicide and tips on how to get involved.

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Gun Violence Solutions has released Still Ringing the Alarm: An Enduring Call to Action for Black Youth Suicide Prevention. This report describes how Black youth, especially Black LGBTQ youth, are at disproportionate risk for suicide, which is heightened by the prevalence of firearms.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded more than $64 million in funding to expand mental health services across the U.S.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) has added new marketing materials to the 988 Partner Toolkit. The new content includes social media shareables for Suicide Prevention Month, Spanish-language materials, and videos that describe reasons to connect with the 988 Lifeline.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a webinar on preventing suicide in American farming communities. It will take place on September 12 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the agency’s 2023–2026 Strategic Plan, which includes a new person-centered mission and vision, key priority areas, and goals and objectives.