This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, a time to raise awareness, promote mental health support, and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide—one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Coinciding with these efforts, the School Counselor Network which is a part of the College and Career Readiness department at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), has launched a new Community of Practice for school counselors where participants learn to improve their skills through regular interaction.
The group’s first workshop was held yesterday and addressed suicide prevention with a presentation by SCOE’s Prevention and Early Intervention department. The discussion involved awareness, warning signs, and intervention skills. They also learned a simple “Question/Persuade/Refer (QPR)” process. Just like people are trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver, people trained in QPR learn to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. The important information was designed to be relayed to school colleagues who are in a position to recognize the warning signs of suicide and potentially help save a life.
The School Counselor Network has collaborated with lead counselors from local school districts and charter schools to plan the upcoming workshops. They will provide information on a range of topics, including supporting international newcomers, substance awareness, and support for new counselors.
Counselor Workshop Schedule/Registration
A series of free workshops is planned throughout the school year for current counselors, new counselors, and site administrators. Workshops take place at SCOE unless otherwise noted.
Register to attend any or all of the sessions. For more information, call (916) 508-6230.
For All Counselors
- International Transcripts and Supporting Newcomers
(10/3/23 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.) - Substance Awareness
(12/5/23 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.) - Counselor Spring Institute
(3/18/24 and 3/19/24)
For New or Returning Counselors
- Support Workshop Part 1 Led by American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Trainers
(1/23/24 from 1–4 p.m.) - Support Workshop Part 2
(2/20/24 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.) - Support Workshop Part 3 at the Counselor Spring Institute
(3/19/24)
For District Leads and Site Administrators
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Standards for Administrators and Lead Counselors
(1/23/24 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Crisis Resources
A 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Line is available by calling 9-8-8 or texting “NAMI” to 741741. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also maintains a directory listing a wide variety of crisis resources for teens and young adults compiled by HelpLine staff.