Umatter (Lifelines) Suicide Prevention Program
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Creating Communities of Hope: GATEKEEPER TRAINING
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CHANGE OF DATE: Please Register for the November 4 and 5 training
We welcome you to register for the training scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Montpelier. This will enable us to serve the field better by maximizing our funding resources. Thank you very much for your interest in supporting youth who are in crisis. We look forward to working with you soon!
CEUs
Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners; Allied Board of Mental Health Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors:
Gatekeeper Portion: 5.45 hours
Protocol Development Portion: 3 hours
Training of Trainers Portion: 3 hours
Special Note: Please plan to bring a team from your school. See recommended team outline below. Schools that participate will receive a $500 grant. Please bring a laptop computer.
DESCRIPTION
Even though suicide is rare, it is still the second leading cause of death for Vermont youth between the ages of 11 and 23. In many cases it is preventable – if adults know the warning signs and the steps they can take to get help for a young person. In addition, we know that positive mental health and the cultivation of youth assets along with good physical health all have a profound effect on student performance and the quality of life within the school community. For these reasons, Vermont law H.630 requires the inclusion of youth suicide prevention in the health education curriculum for middle and high school students.
This two-day training is designed so that you can prepare your school community to respond to the mental health needs of students and prevent suicide. Once adults know suicidal warning signs and how to help, you will be ready to teach suicide prevention lessons to your students using the Lifelines curriculum which will be offered in January.
In order to ensure success, plan to bring a team from your school with members who can fill the roles of Administrative Sponsor, School Liaison, Community Liaison, and Health Educator. Please see below for a description of these roles. Schools that participate will receive a $500 grant to help them collect data about the incidence of suicide, conduct parent educational sessions about suicide, or implement other aspects of suicide prevention.
Please bring a laptop computer and either a paper or electronic copy of any suicide prevention protocols your school may already have. One laptop per school team is sufficient. This will be a hands-on work session in which you can leave with protocols for your school that are 80% to 90% complete.
After this two-day workshop you will be able to…
- Describe the social factors that perpetuate the stigma against seeking help for mental health conditions and suicide.
- List the warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors that impact the incidence of suicidal behavior.
- Demonstrate a four-step process for intervention when someone is suicidal.
- Describe your role and responsibilities for reporting data about the incidence of suicide or attempted suicide at your school.
- Restate the basic concepts that underpin current theories about why people choose suicide.
- Write and revise protocols for your school to follow when there is a suicide or attempted suicide.
- Facilitate a workshop about suicide prevention and awareness for staff and parents of your school community.
A Special Note about the Lifelines Curriculum (to be offered in January)
Lifelines is a four-lesson curriculum for students about suicide prevention, recognizing warning signs that someone might be in distress, and knowing how to get help. Through discussion, videos and practice, students learn that suicide is preventable and that caring adults are available to help. The curriculum will enable your school to meet the requirements of H.630. Before your school uses the Lifelines curriculum, protocols must be in place along with adults on staff who know how to help.
For this reason, schools that wish to use the Lifelines curriculum are required to participate in the Umatter (Lifelines) Suicide Prevention Program prior to implementation of the curriculum in order to ensure that parents and professionals are ready to respond when youth have mental health needs.
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Location:
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Stowe, VT
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Dates:
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Oct 14-15, 2009
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Times:
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8:30am – 4:00pm
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Cost:
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$70
IMPORTANT: Please include your name and the course title in the memo section of your check or purchase order. Thank you.
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Registration:
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Please remember to indicate your role in the Umatter (Lifelines) Program by checking the appropriate box in the Pre-Assessment Question.
NOTE: To maximize the success of suicide prevention at your school, you must create a team by identifying various individuals who will be key to implementing the Umatter (Lifelines) Suicide Prevention Program. In some smaller schools, one person may fill more than one role. The team should include:
- Administrative Sponsor – Principal, Assistant Principal or other administrator who follows through on your school’s commitment to implement the Lifelines curriculum and establish protocols and a memorandum of understanding between schools and community mental health professionals.
- School Liaison – School Counselor or Nurse who acts as the contact person at your school for information and training on youth suicide prevention. This person also provides information to the Vermont Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition about suicide interventions or attempts in your community.
- Community Liaison – Counselor, Therapist or other professional associated with a mental health center in your area who maintains communication between your school and other community professionals.
- Health Educator – Health Teacher, Counselor, Nurse, or other educator who will teach the Lifelines curriculum to students.
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For more information, call Center for Health and Learning at (802) 254-6590
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