Gov. Kelly Armstrong recently proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in North Dakota. Parents Lead has released a new Suicide Prevention and Response Toolkit for Schools, developed in collaboration with North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) suicide prevention and school behavioral health experts. The toolkit provides educators, staff and administrators with practical guidance, resources and strategies to identify students in need, respond safely and strengthen support for families.
Recent surveys show that 10.8% of North Dakota middle school students and 7.4% of high school students attempted suicide within the past year, according to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among North Dakota youth ages 10 to 19.
The new toolkit is designed to help schools respond to this need by equipping educators and staff with evidence-based prevention strategies, practical tools to recognize warning signs and guidance on connecting students and families with help.
“Schools are on the front lines of supporting youth mental health,” said Sara Kapp, HHS behavioral health program administrator. “The guidance and care educators provide create safe spaces where students feel seen, heard and valued. This toolkit provides school staff with the tools to build supportive environments where every student feels connected. Prevention starts with connection.”
The Parents Lead Suicide Prevention and Response Toolkit includes:
- Easy-to-use resources such as posters, handouts and conversation guides
- Crisis response tools including a model school policy, safety plan templates and postvention guidance
- Awareness materials for schools to share with families, including information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides free confidential support 24/7
- Training opportunities to help staff recognize risk factors and start supportive conversations with students
“While the new toolkit equips schools with resources year-round, 988 offers immediate, 24/7 support for anyone in crisis—because no one should ever feel alone when they’re struggling,” said Melissa Markegard, HHS suicide prevention administrator.
By using the toolkit and connecting students and families to 988, schools can foster a culture of awareness, support and care. The toolkit helps ensure that students know they are seen, heard and never alone, while giving educators practical strategies to prevent and respond to suicide.
“With practical strategies linked to key risk factors, this toolkit provides schools and families with the tools they need for prevention and support,” said Principal Russ Riehl, Simle Middle School in Bismarck. “It is a critical step toward creating safe, supportive, and thriving school communities. Together we can help our young people through some of the vast challenges facing today's youth.”
Parents Lead is an evidence-based prevention program that provides parents and caregivers with a wide variety of tools and resources to support them in creating a safe environment for their children that promotes behavioral health. The toolkit is available now at parentslead.org.
If you or anyone you know is in crisis or is struggling, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor.