Creating a Culture of Resilience and Wellness to Prevent Suicide

Summary This report explores how districts develop initiatives and programs to improve student resilience. The report first highlights resilience and suicide prevention programs in use at profiled districts. Next, the report discusses how to engage district and community leaders in suicide prevention efforts and identifies mental health leadership structures and staffing at profiled districts. Finally, the report highlights how profiled districts respond to students at risk of suicide. Key observations from our research 1. To engage staff in resilience and suicide prevention initiatives, add resilience and suicide prevention goals to district strategic plans. 2. Partner with professional organizations, non-profits, and external vendors to deliver resilience and suicide prevention trainings. 3. To intervene with students at risk of suicide, assess student risk, engage administrators, parents, and external support services, and provide ongoing support post crisis. 4. To assess the effectiveness of initiatives, administer surveys to students and educators and analyze trends in student disciplinary data. Download the Report