Sources of Strength

Category: Mental Health Literacy, Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Disorder

Modality: Presentation

Sources of Strength
Sources of Strength

Summary

Sources of Strength is a best practice youth suicide prevention project designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse. Sources of Strength is one of the first suicide prevention programs that uses Peer Leaders to enhance protective factors associated with reducing suicide at the school population level. Sources of Strength Peer Leaders are a diverse group of individuals who leverage their personal and collective leadership qualities as well as their social influence in leading the charge in norming and culture change campaigns using strength-based messages to impact multiple issues including suicide.

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Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)

Not available at this time.

Implementation

Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.

Grade(s)

Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)

Setting

Classroom

Cost

$5,000 1st year, $500 for subsequent years

Staffing Requirements

The training is delivered once per year. Then the team that was trained meets twice a month to plan activities.

Outcomes

Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health

Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders

Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people

Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care

Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide

Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns

Mental Health Literacy Components

This program addresses the following mental health literacy components:

Understanding stigma and strategies for stigma reduction

Understanding how to foster & maintain positive mental health

Understanding how to seek help effectively

Understanding common mental health disorders, signs and symptoms, and treatments

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