School Resources

Suicide Loss Resources

Schools can receive direct support in preparing for and responding to suicide risk through Helpline Center consultation, evidence-based policies and comprehensive prevention and postvention resources. The Suicide Postvention Toolkit guides schools in the event of a student death by suicide. Helpline Center staff are available to support schools on site or provide suicide loss materials as needed.

Mental Health Trainings 

Creating a culture of awareness, support, and safety starts with education. The Helpline Center offers mental health and suicide prevention trainings for both school staff and students, providing practical tools to recognize and respond to mental health challenges. 

Participants learn how to identify warning signs, have supportive conversations, and connect individuals with appropriate resources. Whether focused on general mental health awareness or suicide prevention, these trainings help build confidence and prepare participants to support someone experiencing emotional distress or a suicide crisis.

The Suicide Awareness & Response for Educators training reviews data pertaining to suicide ideation and deaths, warning signs, how to interact with students expressing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and resources available for support. This training is approved by the Department of Education for school employees and certified educators youth suicide awareness and prevention training requirement (not open to the general public). Click here to watch the one hour training.

Below is a list of additional mental health trainings offered by the Helpline Center (click here to view trainings in more details):

• AID (Awareness, Interaction, Direction) – 90 minutes
• QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) – 90 minutes
• ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) – Two 8-Hour Days
• MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) – 8 hours
• Suicide Safety Response Training – 90 minutes

Please contact us if you are interested in scheduling a training for your school having your school staff training.

Hope Squads

In partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health, the Helpline Center supports Hope Squads in schools across South Dakota.  Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer support program that educates members to help identify and assist at-risk students.  Through student focused education and Hope Squad events, students are often referred to trusted adults and helpful resources.