Healthy Education for Life Program (HELP)

Developed by HeartLine, Inc., HELP is a suicide awareness program that targets youth 10 to 24 years of age. The purpose of HELP is to educate youth about the warning signs of depression and suicide, and empower them to get help for themselves or someone else who is feeling suicidal. The cornerstone of HELP is a 3 step intervention model of Ask, Listen, and Tell. The program uses interactive teaching techniques including an educational presentation by a trained facilitator, a 20-minute video, group discussion, and a group activity. The HELP checklist is administered at the end of classroom instruction and contains of a 5-question screening tool. The checklist reinforces the information students receive and identifies students who may be at risk for suicide or depression. At-risk students are referred to the school counselor or school psychologist for individual follow-up attention. 

Program Objectives

After training, HELP participants will have increased:

1. Knowledge of facts related to youth suicide.
2. Understanding of the causes of suicide.
3. Ability to recognize the three Signals of Suicide.
4. Understanding of the three steps to help a suicidal youth.
5. Understanding of the limits of their responsibility to a suicidal youth.

Implementation Essentials

• Schools are required to complete a 12-item assessment of their readiness to implement the HELP program prior to program start.
• Schools must have a crisis management plan, such as the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention guidelines, implemented prior to the start of the HELP program.

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.