A Framework for Strengthening Youth Suicide Prevention, Improving Youth Mental Health (Webinar)

This webinar explored the potential of state policies and investments that provide for an “upstream” approach to youth mental health and suicide prevention. This approach focuses on community-based interventions before the point of crisis, with the goals of creating safe environments and a sense of belonging for young people and preventing youth suicide.

This learning opportunity was the result of a partnership between The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference and the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues. Designed for state legislators, legislative staff and other state leaders, it featured insights from leading researchers as well as an overview of related laws and legislative trends on suicide prevention. The MLC Health & Human Services and Education & Workforce committees served as webinar co-hosts.

The featured presenters included Sarah Brummett, chief operating officer for Sources of Strength; and Holly Wilcox, a professor in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as well as the founder and director of the school’s Center for Suicide Prevention. Together, they helped webinar participants learn more about comprehensive frameworks for youth suicide prevention that are grounded in public health and community approaches.