If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
Suicide is a public health concern that effects people of any age, race, sex, and class. It is complicated, tragic, and oftentimes, there are multiple contributing factors that lead to it, most of which are rooted in untreated mental health conditions.
The UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence recognizes that the potential of a community lies in the health and wellbeing of its members. For this reason, we are kicking off the first week of September – also known as National Suicide Prevention Week – with a curated a list of resources from the Wellbeing for LA Learning Center. This list consists of videos, virtual trainings, and printable tools designed to help educators and mental health professionals talk about suicide, recognize the warning signs, and tips on how to de-escalate suicidal ideation.
When Students Talk About Suicide: A Guide for Teachers
This printable tool provides insight for teachers on how to discuss suicide with students as well as recognize important signs. It focuses on detecting, connecting, and protecting.
De-Escalation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
This virtual training provides insight on cycles that lead to suicide risk. A model demonstration will show how dangerous perceptions and acquired capability to die are. Escalation and de-escalation are also explained.
Youth Suicide Assessment and Prevention Training
This virtual training focuses on addressing suicide prevention for youth and families. Topics such as warning signs, statistics related to suicide, and risk factors are included, as well as tips on how to help, risk assessment, and resources.
Addressing Suicidal Thinking During COVID-19
People with lived experience of homelessness may be at increased risk of hopelessness during the COVID-19 crisis that could lead to thoughts of suicide. Use this informative tip sheet to learn strategies to identify and respond to the immediate mental health needs of people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Suicide Prevention in a Virtual Classroom
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health + UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence joined forces to create a video series for teachers. Specifically, the three-part series provides teachers with ways to support and help students remotely due to the pandemic. Teachers are given guidance on identifying and acting on warning signs in a virtual setting.
Training Health Care Professionals in Suicide Prevention: Washington State's Story
This virtual training emphasizes the importance of health care professionals in terms of suicide prevention. Washington's influence in bettering suicide support and the training of health care providers is addressed.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Relapse Prevention Strategies
This virtual training focuses on cycles that are related to suicide risk. A model shows different aspects, such as certain feelings making wanting to die more prevalent, having a fearlessness around suicide can lead to more dangerous actions, escalation, and de-escalation.
Mental Health Wellbeing Workshops for Educators to Use with Students
This set of workshops was created by the Department of Mental Health School Based Community Access Platform in order to promote wellbeing in classrooms. The goal is for students to be happy and feel good. The workshops can be given by any educator in a classroom and should take a few weeks to finish.
