Connect Youth Leaders: Partnering with Adults in Youth Suicide Prevention

2012

(For resources, this is the publication date. For programs, this is the date posted.)

Information

Program/Practice
NAMI New Hampshire

Two-day training including materials and curriculum is $6,000 plus travel. Day One is for a maximum of 15 adults who will be the co-facilitators with the youth leaders. Day Two is for the adult facilitators continuing from Day One and 20 youth leaders. Adult and youth participants will have the opportunity to practice co-facilitating the training and to receive feedback and coaching from the Connect trainer.

See This Resource

Developed by NAMI NH, Youth Leaders is a two-day training for youth leaders and adult co-facilitators that prepares youth and adults to conduct Connect Youth Suicide Prevention training for teenage audiences.

Friends of youth at risk are typically the ones who see suicidal warnings before adults. Because youth may not know what to do about a friend at risk, or may keep a suicide plan “secret,” it is important for youth to be trained in suicide prevention and intervention. Research consistently shows that peer training is a very effective method for educating youth.

Youth leaders should be selected to represent a cross-section of local youth culture and should be offered continued adult support in their role as co-trainers after the training is completed. The training emphasizes that the role of youth is to seek help from an adult when there is a concern, NOT to take on the role of a counselor.

Youth Leaders is based on Connect Suicide Prevention Training. This training takes into account developmental considerations of high school-age youth as well as safe messaging guidelines. All materials, activities, and PowerPoint slides were developed to meet the needs of youth and guide their involvement in youth suicide prevention.

Program Objectives

After Day One training, participants (adults alone) will have greater:

  1. Understanding of suicide as a public health issue and its impact on communities and individuals.
  2. Insights into suicide data and how age, gender, culture, and other factors impact suicide risk.
  3. Knowledge of communication techniques for parents and others to use in crisis situations.
  4. Knowledge of best practices concerning restricting access to lethal means, safe messaging, and communication about suicide, and how these differ when working with youth.

After Day Two training, participants (adults and youth leaders) will have greater:

  1. Understanding of the risk and protective factors and warning signs associated with suicide.
  2. Skills and confidence to recognize warning signs of suicide in a friend or family member.
  3. Understanding of the importance of involving adults when concerned about someone at risk.
  4. Knowledge of resources and comfort level for connecting others with help.
  5. Positive attitudes towards helping others.
  6. Awareness of the benefits of treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues.

2012 NSSP Objectives Addressed: 

Objective 7.1: Provide training on suicide prevention to community groups that have a role in the prevention of suicide and related behaviors.