For Parents
The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
The following resource is intended for school personnel but parents can benefit from it as well. The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide offers training for school personnel in response to legislation passed in New Jersey mandating suicide prevention training for staff. Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention is available free online, and you can earn CEUs.
Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention
PowerPoint presentation and accompanying video clips:
- Lifelines: A School-Based Youth-Suicide Prevention Initiative PPT [8.6MB]
Brad’s Story Windows Media File [13.5 MB]- Connor’s Story Windows Media File [10 MB]
- Don’s Story Windows Media File [30 MB]
- Don’s Story, Part 2 Windows Media File [4 MB]
- Elena’s Story Windows Media File [16 MB]
- James’s Story Windows Media File [13 MB]
- Scott’s Story Windows Media File [28 MB]
- Scott’s Story, Part 2 Windows Media File [5 MB]
- Stacy’s Story Windows Media File [13 MB]
(click "save" to open document)
The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide also offers several helpful links and fact sheets for parents, including what to do when a child's friend dies by suicide, and talking with your kids about suicide. Please visit their website.
Prevention and Intervention PowerPoint Trainings From Leading Expert Frank Zenere
Youth Suicidal Behavior: Prevention and Intervention for Teacher and Parents by Frank J. Zenere [PDF, 118K]
Suicide Prevention and Self-Injurious Behavior in the School by Frank J. Zenere [PDF, 1MB]
Frank Zenere is a leading expert in the field of school crisis and safety, as well as suicide postvention. This training covers the risk and protective factors that influence the potential for suicidal behavior; five warning signs that increase the possibility for suicidal behavior; and actions that teachers and parents can take to prevent youth suicide. This information is copyrighted by Dr. Zenere and should not be reproduced without his permission. For more information or to request a presentation, he may be contacted at fzenere@dadeschools.net.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Web Trainings
New Developments in Understanding and Treating Self-Injury
Dr. Barent Walsh, author of the new book "Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide".
June 13, 2006
Understanding and Using Data for Youth Suicide Prevention: a Hands-on, Crash Course for Beginners.
Cathy Barber at the Harvard Injury Control Research Center
June 26, 2008
The Parents Trauma Resource Center
The Parents Trauma Resource Center is an excellent tool for parents and caregivers to easily find detailed information about grief and trauma. Included in this site are:
- Information describing typical grief and trauma reactions and the difference between the two.
- Ways parents can help their child, as well as help themselves.
- Ways to deal with specific concerns, like behavioral problems, sexual abuse, war, terrorism, and more.
- Specific information for all age groups – infants, toddlers, children and adolescents.
- Specific detailed activities for parents to use to engage their children and to help calm their anxieties.
- Recommended books and resources on grief and trauma.
- Helpful links to other websites for specific information.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Programs
NAMI Basics Education Program [PDF, 189K]
A new signature education program created by the National Alliance for Mental Illness for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program [PDF, 49K]
A free 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses that discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.
NAMI In Our Own Voice: General Information [PDF, 70K]
A one-and-a-half hour interactive, multimedia presentation by consumers that offers hope and provides insight into the recovery now possible for people with mental illness.
Other Helpful Resources
Teen Depression and Suicide – Two separate 90 minute presentations. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention partnered with the New York State Office of Mental Health on a film project aimed to educate high school students about depression. Since the majority of suicides are caused by untreated or inadequately treated depression, it is AFSP’s hope that by teaching adolescents to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others, suicide deaths among teenagers will decrease.
A second film, More Than Sad: A Guide to Preventing Teen Suicide educates teachers and other school personnel about the causes of youth suicide, warning signs and steps they can take to get help for students. Key messages to teachers include paying close attention to any observed behavioral changes in their students, speaking to those students, and referring those who may be suffering from a mental disorder to a nurse or school counselor. The film also encourages teachers to familiarize themselves with their own school’s referral and crisis policies.
Each film is 25-minutes long and is presented to the group with facilitated discussion afterwards. It is highly recommended to schools to have the teachers review prior to presenting to the students. Display of resources and pamphlets is included.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources
Provided by the National Association of School Psychologist
NASP is committed to working to prevent the suicide behavior and deaths of children and youth. Schools and school psychologists play a critical role in youth suicide prevention.
Economic Crisis Resources
Provided by the National Association of School Psychologists.
NASP and school psychologists across the country are equipped and ready to help in tough economic times. They have developed a series of resources to support students, families and school staff affected by the economic crisis.
Parent's Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Your Child [PDF, 2MB]
Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State
Tardive Dyskinesia Center - Helping Families Regain Control
Tardive dyskinesia is a condition typically caused by certain psychoactive drugs such as anti-depressants, or "dopamine antagonists" (drugs that block dopamine receptors, used to treat disorders of the nervous or circulatory system). When a patient has been taking certain prescription drugs over a long period of time, often at high dosages, involuntary, repetitive tic-like movements can result, primarily in the facial muscles or (less commonly) the limbs, fingers and toes. The hips and torso may also be affected.
Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention
The purpose of the BPR is to identify, review, and disseminate information about best practices that address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.