The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS), in partnership with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), provided a week-long suicide prevention training for university students.
“We can reduce the number of students impacted by mental health challenges when we provide support, resources, and the necessary tools needed to ensure the well-being of all our students,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “I am incredibly proud of our community, education, and government partners for their dedication to supporting the overall social-emotional health of our students.”
During the week of Aug. 8, CSUSB students experienced in-depth training on suicide prevention, leadership skills development, and knowledge about mental health challenges.
“I think the biggest talking point here is to be there for somebody,” said CSUSB graduate student Ulises Velasco. “If you notice somebody looking down, you can be that one person that gets them out of their bad day or bad moment or those suicidal thoughts by giving them an ear and by lending them a shoulder to cry on. Everybody is capable of being that support buddy for somebody.”
Students were equipped with the fundamental knowledge and tools necessary to provide support to their peers in times of crisis. They will continue year-round learning with quarterly check-ins to provide updates, program shakeouts, and booster training.
At the completion of the week-long training, students gained the ability to recognize early signs and symptoms of someone in crisis and were able to connect individuals to appropriate resources and available supports.
“I am really proud to be part of this group…and I want to actually help people that are in need of help,” said CSUSB student Elizabeth Bagley. “Training like this brings hope to people.”
Students who are exploring career paths in the mental health and public service sectors had the opportunity to learn about workforce development.
SBCSS developed this peer support training with the help of two CSUSB psychology professors to address mental health and peer support in our communities.
This training is partly funded through SBCSS, the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, Inland Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, and Kaiser Permanente.
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