As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s initiative for strengthening youth mental health, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) announced the award of a grant to help New Jersey teachers receive the training and tools they need to identify the signs of suicidal behavior among youth and connect students with support.

The $550,000 federally funded grant, designed to support the launch of the Youth Suicide Prevention and Awareness Campaign, was awarded to the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS), a nonprofit created by two Monmouth County fathers who each experienced the devastating loss of a child by suicide.

“Youth mental health remains a top priority for my Administration, and we have taken great strides to ensure our students, educators, and communities have the resources they need to prevent tragedies and support the well-being of our children,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Raising awareness for the intervention resources within reach of New Jersey students is critical to fostering safe and supportive environments for New Jersey’s young people. Together, we can provide the education and tools needed to help save young lives.”

“It’s our duty to respond with a critical sense of urgency to strengthen our suicide prevention efforts throughout the state,” said Kevin Dehmer, Acting Commissioner of Education. “By providing educators with high-quality training, this initiative can help build a culture of care, resilience, and understanding among New Jersey’s youth.”

The funding will be used during a 24-month period to develop a comprehensive public awareness campaign, create online training for educators throughout New Jersey, and host a statewide conference for educators, mental health professionals, community leaders, and other stakeholders. The initiative will raise awareness, help educators identify the signs of youth suicidal behavior, reduce the stigma involving mental health issues, and provide training and resources for educators to help at-risk students.

For more information, see the NJDOE’s Youth Mental Health resources and the Youth Suicide Prevention webpage. For more information on the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, see the SPTS webpage.

[photo credit] Flickr: Phil Murphy