EDUCATION SERVICES
Samaritans’ education programs empower individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently identify and respond to those at risk.
Last year’s impact
Professionals Trained
Schools
Professionals Trained
SAMARITANS' APPROACH
Empathy informed education.
At Samaritans, we recognize that talking about suicide is hard, whether it affects you personally, someone you know, or your community. These challenges, faced by family members, friends, and professionals alike, can affect how participants engage with suicide prevention programs.
From webinars to comprehensive training sessions...
Our programs are designed to help participants effectively identify, respond to, and support individuals at risk. Our empathy-informed education closes the gap between research and real-world action. This approach not only deepens participants’ understanding, but also prepares them to effectively use what they’ve learned in their communities.
That’s why empathy is at the core of our education program.
It’s one thing to know the best practices, warning signs and indications of risk, but quite another to apply them in real, human situations.
Suicide prevention is not one-size-fits-all…
Yet many education programs rely on generic frameworks. At Samaritans, we differentiate ourselves by customizing our content to address the specific concerns of our audience.
This approach ensures that our educational efforts are not only relevant and impactful, but also genuinely responsive to the diverse needs of those we serve
Topics
✓ Understanding Suicide: Causes, Statistics + Trends
✓ Public Health Approaches to Suicide Prevention
✓ The Impact of Stigma
✓ Crisis Communications
✓ Determining Risk
✓ Safety Planning
✓ Accessing Socially/ Culturally Appropriate Resources
✓ Designing + Implementing Site Prevention/ Postvention Strategies
Types of Programs
✓ Suicide Prevention Essentials (Fundamental)
✓ Suicide Prevention: Beyond the Basics (Intensive)
✓ Professional Development Training
✓ Educational Setting Training
✓ Suicide Awareness Presentations or Workshops
✓ Postvention Training + Support
Participants
✓ Mental Health + Healthcare Providers
✓ K-12 Students, Parents, Teachers, Admin.
✓ College/university Students, Faculty, Admin.
✓ Elected Officials, Civil Servants
✓ Media, Law, Business Professionals
✓ Program Directors, Program Staff, Volunteers, etc.
✓ Members of the public and more!
Entities:
✓ Schools, Colleges + Universities
✓ Mental Health + Healthcare Settings
✓ Community Based Organizations + Groups
✓ Government Agencies
✓ Workplace/ Corporate Settings
Tailored Community Programs
Prioritizing people through partnerships.
Through strategic collaborations, we create programs that are both culturally and contextually appropriate, deeply respecting the unique challenges and strengths of each community. Our approach ensures our support is effective and impactful, catering specifically to diverse groups including:
Age Groups:
catering to youth, young adults, older adults, and the elderly.
Specific Populations:
including BIPOC, Latino/a, AAPI, LGBTQ+, women, veterans, immigrants, refugees, among others.
Life Circumstances:
Those experiencing homelessness, involved in the criminal justice system, crime victims/ survivors, + others.
Community Affiliations:
Engaging faith-based and cultural groups.
Mental + Physical Health:
general mental health, serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders, chronic illnesses/ disabilities.
Webinars
IT STARTS WITH ME -
ACTION + AWARENESS FOR ALL
At this *FREE* webinar, we will help break down the barriers that keep so many from getting involved in suicide prevention. Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention.
You don’t have to have all the answers. It’s okay to feel out of your depth. The only prerequisite is a willingness to start. Topics Include: Myths, misconceptions, and stigma around suicide, Warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors associated with suicide, how to conduct a basic suicide risk assessment, and where to find essential resources and how to access them.
WHAT TO SAY
When You Don't Know What to Say
Have you ever felt like someone needs help but didn’t know how to start the conversation? Afraid you’ll make things worse if you bring it up? You’re not alone. Many of us—even professionals—struggle to start these important conversations. Sometimes the pressure feels overwhelming, we’re uncomfortable, or we just don’t know how to help if something is wrong. This webinar is here to help you navigate those uncertainties.
We’ll share practical tips for breaking the ice, approaching sensitive topics, and creating space for open dialogue. Learn how to tackle the conversations that matter most with confidence and empathy.
10 Things You Need to Know About Mental Health
+ Suicide (but are too afraid to ask)
This program focuses on debunking myths about mental health and suicide, exploring common misconceptions and the fears behind them.
Through these discussions, we aim to fight stigma and boost awareness, easing the fears and concerns that can stop us from helping someone in crisis, including ourselves. The webinar provides clear and accessible information, making it suitable for both laypeople and professional audiences.
NYC COUNCIL BRIEFING
On Suicide Prevention
The NYC City Council Briefing- Straightforward Strategies for Suicide Prevention is a virtual event designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and tools to support individuals in crisis. The webinar covers suicide as a public health issue, effective communication strategies, crisis response and risk assessments presented in accessible and practical ways. Complete the form below to watch the recording!
DEMYSTIFYING THE DATA
Understanding Trends In Suicide &
The Mental Health Crisis in NY
This program will help you make sense of the abundance of information on suicide and mental health. Gain the insight needed to make informed decisions and navigate these critical issues with confidence.
This program benefits family members, educators, counselors, clinicians, administrators, HR, and EAP staff involved in crisis response, care/ treatment, and for anyone looking to grasp the complexities of topic.
Suicide Awareness + Prevention for Education + Health Professionals
Length: 90 minutes
This professional development training delves into critical aspects of suicide prevention, covering topics such as suicide incidence, high-risk groups, the impact of stigma, and the challenges faced by providers.
Professionals develop skills in identifying warning signs, understanding risk factors, assessing suicidal ideation, and accessing culturally appropriate resources. It also provides a detailed overview of effective active listening, essential for supporting distressed or suicidal individuals.
Podcasts
Samaritans’ Approach to Effective Listening
Length: 24 minutes
This podcast offers a look at the philosophy and behaviors that guide Samaritans’ crisis hotline volunteers at centers around the world.
It emphasizes practicing empathetic, non-judgmental communication with those who are in crisis, highlighting the critical skills and approaches used to effectively support someone who is distressed, depressed, in crisis or suicidal.
Communications Model for Responding to People in Crisis
Length: 14 minutes
This podcast provides a basic understanding of an effective crisis response model and how to use it. It aims to equip listeners with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently and effectively support individuals who are in crisis and/or suicidal.
Whether you are concerned about a friend, caring for a loved one, or treating a person who is at risk, this resource is designed to assist in navigating these challenging situations with empathy and expertise.
Samaritans’ Resource Hub
Samaritans’ Resource Hub is a free to use and comprehensive online platform offering mental health and suicide prevention resources. The includes targeted support + vital information for both professionals + the public alike.
With its regularly updated content, Samaritans’ Resource Hub focuses on culturally sensitive + inclusive content.
This helps to ensure that specific populations, including kids, teens, LGBTQ+, elderly, BIPOC, + AAPI communities, can access relevant + timely mental health/ suicide prevention resources, that focuses on their unique needs.
Support Services
Beyond our programs, we have compiled additional resources that you may find helpful in your journey.
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The Samaritans of New York, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to the fullest extent of the law. EIN 13-3164464