On June 26, 2014, Act 71 was signed into law in Pennsylvania. This law, which added section 1526 of the School Code, 24 PS § 15-1526, specifically requires school entities to: (1) adopt a youth suicide awareness and prevention policy; and (2) provide ongoing professional development in youth suicide awareness and prevention for professional educators in building serving students in grades 6-12. Additionally, section 1526 specifically permits school entities to incorporate curriculum on this topic into their instructional programs pursuant to their youth suicide awareness and prevention polices.
Act 71 of 2014 also added section 1527 of the School Code, 24 PS § 15-1527. Section 1527 permits school entities to provide age-appropriate instruction regarding child exploitation for students in grades K-8. If a school entity provides this instruction to its students, the school entity must provide professional development related to child exploitation awareness to those educators assigned to teach courses into which child exploitation awareness education has been incorporated.
NOTE: This webpage contains resources, including links to websites created by outside organizations. These resources are provided for convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by the Pennsylvania Department of Education of any viewpoints, products, or services offered or expressed within.
Resources
Model Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Policy
Model Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Regulations
PA Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan (PDF)
PDE Suicide Awareness and Prevention Education Curriculum Guidelines (PDF)
PSA Contest for Youth Suicide Prevention
Section 1526: Suicide Awareness/ Prevention Education: Guidelines & Educational Materials
Note: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, each school entity shall:
(1) Adopt an age-appropriate youth suicide awareness and prevention policy and (2) Include in its professional development plan submitted to the secretary for approval pursuant to section 1205.1 four (4) hours of training in youth suicide awareness and prevention every five (5) years for professional educators in school buildings serving students in grades six through twelve.
Prevent Suicide PA’s Annual PSA Contest for High School Students
Students are encouraged to develop and submit a youth suicide prevention PSA in one of 4 categories (poster, audio, 30 second video, 60 second video). Rules and guidelines for upcoming PSA contests are generally released in August and can be found by visiting the PSA homepage. All of the winning and honorable mention PSAs from previous years are available for free and can be accessed by visiting PSA Content-Previous Contests.
More Than Sad Program
The More Than Sad Program of the American Foundation for Suicide prevention provides education about factors that put youth at risk for suicide, in particular depression and other mental disorders. The program includes two sets of materials one for teens and one for teachers and school personnel. Instructional materials to accompany More Than Sad Program, include a power point presentation.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
PA AFSP chapters will make the "More Than Sad" DVD available free to all high and middle schools in PA that request one. Contact your local PA chapter via email at: pennsylvania@afsp.org
Prevent Suicide PA's Online Learning Center
The Suicide Prevention Online Learning Center offers general “gatekeeper” training to promote mental health literacy, specifically in the realm of suicide prevention. Trainings provided on the site are free, based on individual roles in the school system, and in-line with a multi-tiered approach, as well as state legislation. Specialized trainings are available for mental health professionals, which includes training on risk assessments and safety planning, and a webinar is available to administrators on school suicide prevention policy.
Kognito At-Risk for High School Educators
A 1-hour, online, interactive gatekeeper training program that prepares high school teachers and other school personnel to identify, approach, and refer students who are exhibiting signs of psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Through a self-paced, narrative-driven experience, participants build knowledge, skills, and confidence to connect at-risk students to counseling, mental health, or crisis support services.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course is designed to improve participants' knowledge and modify their attitudes and perceptions about mental health and related issues, including how to respond to individuals who are experiencing one or more acute mental health crises (i.e., suicidal thoughts and/or behavior, acute stress reaction, panic attacks, and/or acute psychotic behavior) or are in the early stages of one or more chronic mental health problems (i.e., depressive, anxiety, and/or psychotic disorders, which may occur with substance abuse).
Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention
Online interactive training program for educators and school staff. Designed in a series of 5 modules, it addresses the critical but limited responsibilities of educators in the process of identification and referral of potentially suicidal youth. It focuses on the practical realities and challenges inherent in the school setting through a variety of training formats that include lecture, question and answer, and role plays. This training is available free of charge.
PREPaRE School Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training Curriculum (2nd Edition)
Consists of two complementary workshops. Workshop 1 is designed to help schools create systems to meet the safety and crisis prevention and preparedness needs of students, staff, and families. Workshop 2 focuses on mental health crisis intervention and recovery. The curriculum builds on existing personnel, resources, and programs; links to ongoing school safety efforts; facilitates sustainability; addresses a range of crises (including suicide); and can be adapted to each school's size and needs.
QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention: QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention is a 1-2 hour educational program designed to teach "gatekeepers"-those who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, caseworkers, police officers)-the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond by following three steps; Question, Persuade, and Refer.
Be A Link
(email demme@yellowribbon.org for training cost and more information) Be A Link! is an adult gatekeeper training program that provides participants with knowledge to help them identify youth at risk for suicide and refer them to appropriate help resources. Be A Link! requires a certified Yellow Ribbon trainer.
Wisconsin Gatekeeper Online training (YouTube)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line or Text PA to 741-741.
Prevent Suicide PA
Mission - To support those who are affected by suicide, provide education, awareness, and understanding by collaborating with the community to prevent suicide, and reduce the stigma associated with suicide.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides resources to educators and other stakeholders on youth and adult suicide prevention.
Services for Teens At Risk (STAR Center)
A comprehensive research, treatment, and training center. Funded by the State of Pennsylvania's General Assembly in 1986 to address adolescent suicide and depression, the program provides individual assessment and treatment to teens that are experiencing depression and suicidality. They also provide community education services about depression and suicidality to schools, social service agencies, churches and other organizations that request them.
The Trevor Project
Leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth
Considerations for Virtual Adaptations to School Suicide Prevention Policies and Procedures (PDF)
This document was developed to assist schools with reviewing existing suicide prevention policies and procedures to determine whether implementation may need to be modified, particularly within a virtual or hybrid structure. Read Considerations for Virtual Adaptations to School Suicide Prevention Policies and Procedures, which offers initial guiding questions and considerations for action steps for schools.
STAR-Center Postvention Standards Manual, 5th Edition
This manual is intended to guide schools and communities in developing their own postvention (i.e., services offered in an aftermath of a suicide or tragedy) policies and procedures.
Section 1527: Child Exploitation Awareness Education: Guidelines & Suggested Resources
Note: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, each school entity may:
(1) Develop an age-appropriate child exploitation awareness education program and incorporate such program into the school entity's existing curriculum for students in kindergarten through grade eight; and (2) Include training in child exploitation awareness in its professional development plan submitted by to the secretary for approval pursuant to section 1205.1; provided that a school entity shall provide four (4) hours of such training every five (5) years for professional educators assigned to teach courses into which child exploitation awareness education has been incorporated.
SafeSecureKids.org
Safe Secure Kids is an educational program created by a partnership between the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and d'Vinci Interactive. Their interactive website offers resources to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and other adults communicate with the children in their life to prevent child sexual abuse. Resources include free learning activities for children and adults to complete together, as well as handouts, videos, and tips for adults. Topics include consent and asking for permission, setting and respecting boundaries, understanding feelings, and identifying and talking to trusted adults. Appropriate grade levels: 2-5.
Care for Kids
A health-based curriculum for children from 3-8 years old. This well-researched curriculum helps stakeholders understand the link between healthy sexuality education and child sexual abuse prevention.
We Care Elementary
A curriculum for children in grades 3-6. Each grade has developmentally appropriate lessons on topics related to healthy relationships like communication, feelings, and boundaries.
Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens (SAFE-T)
A curriculum that promotes healthy relationships and behaviors in middle school communities (grades 7 & 8), helping youth identify those areas that put them at risk for being hurt and for hurting others.
Erin's Law
This law was first introduced in Illinois by Erin Merryn, a victim of sexual abuse.
Guidelines for prevention programs (adults) (PDF)
Items to consider when reviewing or selecting effective programming
Guidelines for prevention programs (children) (PDF)
Items to consider when reviewing or selecting effective programming
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Information Packet
This information packet was developed for sexual violence prevention educators, advocates, and their allied partners in public health and other disciplines. The packet contains resources to support the prevention of child sexual abuse and draws from: research on child sexual abuse prevention programming, child sexual abuse risk and protective factors, and the public health model of prevention.
Think First & Stay Safe® | Teen Lures® TV Newscast
Primary Prevention Curricula for Grades PreK-6 | Grades 7-12. Both programs are evidence-based, multi-session and include Presenter Training Modules, age-appropriate/sequential Scripted Lesson Plans/Class Discussions, interactive class activities, practice scenarios and role-playing, worksheets/handouts, follow-up activities, School Posters and Parent Components (including Orientation Letter, PowerPoint presentations, handouts and 20 pp Think First Parent Guide/Let's Talk Teens parent handbook, with helplines.)