Education Services

Samaritans’ education programs empower individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently identify and respond to those at risk.

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.

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.

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.

Samaritans’ programs adhere to the highest standards in the field, including offering the latest, most reliable data, research, evidence-based guidelines, and culturally sensitive methods.

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

Individuals

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:

Specific Populations: including BIPOC, Latino/a, AAPI, LGBTQ+, women, veterans, immigrants, refugees, among others.

Age Groups: catering to youth, young adults, older adults, and the elderly.

Community Affiliations: engaging faith-based and cultural groups.

Life Circumstances: those experiencing homelessness, involved in the criminal justice system, crime victims/ survivors, + others.

Mental + Physical Health: general mental health, serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders, chronic illnesses/ disabilities.

Information + Insights

Click on a flyer below to download a PDF version.

Webinars

10 Things You Need to Know About Mental Health + Suicide (but are too afraid to ask)

Length: 25 minutes

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.

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.

Demystifying the Data:
Understanding Trends in Suicide

Length: 65 minutes

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.

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.