Just Talk About It: Suicide Prevention Toolkit

Please note that the CONTACT Crisis Line ceased operation on 12/31/14. To our knowledge, this training is no longer being disseminated. This listing is retained for archival purposes because some organizations continue to offer the program using previously trained facilitators.

Developed by the Teen CONTACT Program at CONTACT Crisis Line, Just Talk About It: Suicide Prevention Toolkit is a program designed to train both adults and adolescents on how to assist youth who exhibit signs of suicidal risk. At the completion of the training, participants are able to better identify a suicidal crisis, how stress can increase suicide risk, symptoms of depression, warning signs associated with suicide and ultimately, how to help a student and/or friend who may be at risk for suicide. After identifying an adolescent who is at risk for suicide, the trainee is able to approach and ask the individual about their condition and refer them to help. Following the adolescent’s acceptance of help, the trained individual is able to take the appropriate measures to refer the person for treatment and/or to the appropriate trained adult, counselor or teacher.

The Teen CONTACT Program at CONTACT Crisis Line has offered community-based suicide prevention training since 2000. Just Talk About It was developed and refined based on evaluations of those trainings. The toolkit is available as a “stand-alone” toolkit, or it can be used in conjunction with Train-the-trainer, direct staff and administrator training, or parent training offered by the CONTACT Crisis LIne in the Dallas area. 

Program Objectives

Those who participate in the training will have:

1. Greater knowledge of warning signs of suicide.
2. Enhanced ability to intervene with those who may be at risk for suicide.
3. Increased knowledge of help-seeking resources.

Implementation Essentials

• Schools that use the Just Talk About It program should have established protocols for addressing students who may be at risk for suicide. Teachers and staff should be aware of the protocols.
• Just Talk About It is most effective when used as part of a high school’s larger strategic plan to identify and help at-risk students.

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.