Stronger Connections Webinars

Upcoming Topic: Addressing Student Suicidality: Statewide Trends and Promising Local Initiatives

February 5, 2025 | 9:30-10:30 AM Pacific

Registration

Recent data from the California Healthy Kids Survey indicate a promising statewide reduction in students’ suicidality since 2018. In San Diego County, student suicide ideation and chronic sadness among middle and high school students have also dropped since 2022. What investments have been made in San Diego County in mental and behavioral health systems? What strategies are being implemented to better support students? 

Join this session to learn about San Diego County Office of Education’s Creating Opportunities in Preventing and Eliminating Suicide (COPES) initiative. The COPES initiative provides standardized training alongside suicide risk screening in 440 schools and developed a new countywide database of resources to provide students with individualized resources. 

Participants will learn about: 

• Data collection strategies, including how to measure and track outcomes 
• Key components and tools that can be adapted 
• Crisis response protocols to effectively intervene and keep students safe 
• Peer programming strategies to support each other and foster positive cultural change 

The session will include hands-on materials for adaptation and use, review of real-world data tools and trends from San Diego County, and opportunities to engage with resources honored by the California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award.  

Speakers:

Heather Nemour is a Coordinator, Student Wellness & School Culture for the San Diego County Office of Education. She provides training, technical assistance and coaching to the 43 school districts and over 100 charter schools across the county in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health & wellness and positive school climate.  She also co-leads county and statewide suicide prevention and mental health initiatives to inform school systems and practices, so students are safe and supported.  Previously, Ms. Nemour was instrumental in the development, oversight, and sustainability of a model community collaborative and network of five school-based Family Resource Centers that support over 70 schools.

This is a 60-minute webinar. All participants are invited to stay for an additional 30 minutes after the webinar concludes to ask questions of the presenter and engage in peer-to-peer discussion.

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