Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Resources

Out of the Darkness Walk at Holly High School The Holly High School community experienced tremendous losses this school year, including the tragic death of Senior, Deegan Walton, who took his own life. On December 6th, Holly Area Schools brought Jared Scott to Holly High School to share his story of losing a close friend to suicide. His program addressed important aspects such as purpose-finding, leadership growth, respect, self-worth, and emotional intelligence.  After his presentation, Jared worked with some of our students to inspire them to create a movement that can lift up and support all students.   Since then, these student groups have met regularly to bring the goals that they began that day with Jared, to life.  One of these goals was to create a suicide awareness program to acknowledge the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking out resources for help because "it's ok not to be ok." Recently, a student leader and district leadership connected with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and entered into a partnership with the AFSP to host an "Out of the Darkness Walk" at Holly High School on Saturday, April 20th. We are excited to share that our HHS Out of the Darkness Walk is now available to share and communicate out to others. You can use this site to register for the walk, volunteer, and donate to this student-led HHS Out of the Darkness Walk.  All donations support the crucial work that the AFSP does around Michigan, and the nation, to fund suicide prevention programs. We are also sharing information about Sponsorship opportunities for individuals, companies, and businesses who want to take a leading role in supporting this student-led event.   Our students are continuing to develop ideas for our Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, April 20th, and we will be sharing more information and ways for people to get involved as they are developed. Links for this event are below: HHS Out of the Darkness Walk Registration, Volunteering, and Donation Information - Website for Information HHS Out of the Darkness Walk - Sponsorship Information (Sponsorships are welcome at all times, please note that for companies to get their Logo on Walk T-Shirts, etc. the due date is March 9th)

 

Struggling or concerned about a friend?  Don't suffer in silence.  Reach out to a trusted adult for help or check out the following resources for support.
 

The Lifeline and 988

988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), connects individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via text, web chat or phone.

When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and connect them to resources. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States.

988 Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.

The 988 Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) is also available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Information

CDC Information on Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention

The Jason Foundation, Inc

Dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.
The Jason Foundation

Dealing with Teen Depression

Signs, Symptoms and tools for helping yourself or a friend
HelpGuide.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

SAMHSA’s free mobile apps offer easy access to treatment and prevention tools for opioid use disorder, suicide, bullying, disaster response, and underage drinking. Learn how you can help spread the word about SAMHSA’s mobile apps.
SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Teen's Guide to Mental Health

Wake Forest University - Teen's Guide to Mental Health

National Alliance on Mental Health

NAMI Resources

National Association of School Psychologist 

Resources and Podcasts

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation or thoughts of harming yourself, help is out there. Below are resources for suicide prevention that you can access.
Programs and Resources

Talk Away the Dark

Start a Conversation
Reaching Out for Help
If Someone Tells You They’re Thinking About Suicide
How to Talk to a Suicide Loss Survivor

PBS Learning Media

Mental Health Resources for Students

The Ups and Downs of Social Media: Evaluating Mental Health Effects on Teens

A youth-led podcast exploring issues pertaining to mental health among teenagers. This episode focuses on the positives and negatives of social media on youths’ mental health.
On our Minds Podcast

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School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs and Materials

Columbia University TeenScreen Program 

TeenScreen helps schools and communities implement screening programs to identify at-risk teens and pre-teens. It uses simple screening tools that can detect depression, the risk of suicide, and other mental disorders in teens to help schools identify and arrange treatment for youth who are suffering from depression and other undiagnosed mental illness and those who are at risk of suicide.
Teenscreen.org

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Online Library with resources for staff and students.
SPRC Online Library

Jason Foundation, Inc. 

The Jason Foundation, Inc., educates young people, parents, teachers, and others who work with young people about youth suicide. The foundation offers programs, seminars, and support materials on suicide awareness and prevention.
The Jason Foundation

Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Prevention Program

This organization provides training and resources for school- and community-based suicide prevention programs (including gate keeping). Chapters in a number of states can provide suicide prevention speakers, materials, and training to schools and other organizations.
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program

Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide

This online resource was developed by the Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida. It provides a framework for schools to assess their existing or proposed suicide prevention efforts (through a series of checklists) and provides resources and information that school administrators can use to enhance or add to their existing program. Information is offered in a series of issue briefs corresponding to a specific checklist. Each brief offers a rationale for the importance of the specific topic together with a brief overview of the key points. The briefs also offer specific strategies that have proven to work in reducing the incidence of suicide, with references that schools can use to explore these issues in greater detail.
School Based Guide

PBS Learning Media

Mental Health Resources for Teachers

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