Date/Time
Earn: 4.0 CEUs (2.0 CEUs per session), attendance at both sessions is mandatory to receive CEUs. No partial CEUs will be awarded.
This 2-day training session on MAPS, the Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Schools.
MAPS is a comprehensive, evidence-based guidance and training initiative and includes over 70 printable tools, checklists, and over 200 pages of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention resources.
Learn how to apply suicide prevention strategies in K-12 settings and strengthen school policies with practical, evidence-based approaches.
Day 1 Part 1 - Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Suicide is now either the second or third leading cause of death for youth in the U.S. depending on their age. Even elementary age children are threatening suicide at increasing rates. This workshop will provide extensive information on the role of schools in youth suicide prevention and intervention and the importance of schools partnering with local and state prevention resources. A key resource MAPS the Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide for K-12 Schools will be shared with participants.
Learning Objectives
1. Know the incidence of youth suicide and analyze the foundational issues of youth suicide.
2. Identify adverse experiences for youth and how they contribute to youth suicide.
3. Identify protective factors that prevent youth suicide.
4. Analyze the complex relationship between bullying and suicide.
5. Understand the role of schools in youth suicide prevention.
Day 2 Part 2 - Wednesday, June 4, 2025
School mental health professionals (SMHPS) including counselors, social workers and psychologists must be competent in screening students for suicidal risk, developing written safety plans jointly with the at-risk student, notifying the parent/caregiver, discussing safety proofing their home and referring the at risk-risk student for community-based services and providing follow-up at support school. This workshop will provide a role play of screening an at-risk for suicide using the brief version of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Developing a written safety plan jointly with the at-risk student, parent/caregiver notification and documentation of all actions for student safety taken by the SMHP will also be demonstrated through role play. A key resource MAPS the Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide for K-12 Schools will be shared with participants.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify the key components of suicide screening using culturally responsive practices..
2. Understand the importance of developing a written safety plan with an at-risk student after viewing a role play.
3. Identify key components of parent/caregiver notification after viewing a role play.
4. Understand the importance of the SMHP documenting all actions taken for student safety and the importance of referring the at-risk student for a more comprehensive community-based assessment and services.
5. Analyze the prevention lessons from legal cases where schools were sued after a student suicide.
Designed for educators, school-based mental health staff, administrators, and community partners working with youth.
Location: Virtual
Sponsored By: Maryland Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the University of Maryland School of Medicine
Cost: Free