The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers free evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health education programs for children, teens, adults, and everyone in between. In this session, you will receive experiential training and guidance for implementation on three youth and young adult programs, allowing you to present these life-saving programs in your school and community. Free suicide prevention resources and tools will be provided for everyone in attendance, courtesy of AFSP.
*Descriptions of programs below.*
Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health©
Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health is an approximately 30-45 minute read-along activity with children and adults. The program seeks to introduce mental health and wellness, how to care for one’s mental health in a non-threatening way that encourages the self-identification of warning signs, and when to apply the use of internal and external health coping strategies to help reduce risk. It introduces the characteristics of trusted adults, who may be one, how to practice talking with a trusted adult, and promotes proactive communication. The books ends with an opportunity for youth to create a mental health plan that they can use daily, and in a time of need that can help them avert crisis. Hosting a Read-Along of Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health can be a fun way to engage youth and their Trusted Adults in conversations and activities that promote their mental health and wellbeing. The read-along focuses on elementary school age children (5-11 years), particularly 2nd, 3rd & 4th graders, although all ages can benefit.
It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health
About
It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health is an approximately 45 minute presentation which provides youth with general mental health information and resources. The presentation defines mental health and includes guidance on starting a conversation about mental health and engaging in self-care.
Teens and Mental Health is meant to be presented to high school students. The content is appropriate for those 14 or older.
It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health
About
It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health is an approximately 60-90 minute program which teaches participants to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others, challenges existing stigma surrounding depression, and demystifies the treatment process. This program focuses on college-bound seniors and college students. The program includes a 17-minute film that follows the journey of six students who wrestled with mental health concerns, sought treatment, made their psychological well-being a top priority, and found their own new sense of balance. It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health is meant to be presented to college bound seniors and college students. The content is appropriate for those 16 or older.
Presenter:
Sarah Allen
North Texas and Oklahoma Area Director
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention