support for schools & communities in Crisis
Even one supporting adult can change a young person’s life. Showing up for young people helps create a world where they are seen, valued, and supported.
For more information about supporting newcomer youth, click here.
For more information about supporting LGBTQ+ youth, click here.
- Mental Health Crises
- 988 Lifeline: For individuals who want to speak to a counselor immediately, text HOME or AYUDA to 741741
Or call 988 and ask to speak with a Spanish-speaking counselor. Go to their website here, which is provided in English and Spanish. - 24/7 Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ Youth – We’re here for you now
- Prevención del suicidio – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- What to do when someone is at risk | AFSP
- What to Do if You’re Worried Your Child May be Suicidal | Child Mind Institute
- Order stickers, signs, etc. for suicide prevention
In the absence of a trusted adult, Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. This program is not intended to suspend, expel, or punish students. Rather, the goal is to get students to “Seek Help Before.” Safe2Help Illinois has developed a Mental Health Toolkit aimed at changing the culture in Illinois schools while also providing the resources to help parents and educators reinforce the components of this program.
- 24/7
- Call 844-4-SAFEIL (723345)
- Text SAFE2 (72332)
- Safe2helpil.com
- Actions Post-Crisis Event
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CRISIS: This brief guide provides reminders for crisis team members regarding steps to take to ensure safety, meet immediate needs, and work to restore normalcy following a crisis event. The National Association of School Psychologists website has lots of guides specific to crisis needs. Click here for the Crisis Response Guide.
DIRECT CRISIS SUPPORT: Having established relationships with community mental health providers that can respond to your school’s crisis and grief needs is ideal. Think about who you would reach out to in such an event. The National Association of School Psychologists’ (NASP) offers consultation and support to school and districts in the aftermath of a crisis. While ideally every school district should have the internal capacity to respond effectively in a crisis, some traumatic events require outside assistance from professionals with specific expertise in school crisis intervention. Click on the link for more information on accessing Direct Crisis Support.
CULTURAL COMPETENCE: There are many ways that schools can incorporate cultural competence into their overall crisis plans and preparations. To begin with, crisis plans should identify and address the diverse needs within the community. Click on the link for information on Culturally Competent Crisis Response.
DEVELOPMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: Schools also need to consider the developmental needs of all their students, including students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more at Concepts of Death – Coalition to Support Grieving Students.
- General Crisis Support
Schools can play a vital role in providing important support to students after a crisis to promote their understanding of the event, minimize the academic impact through academic accommodations, help them learn coping strategies to accelerate their adjustment and minimize their distress, and minimize problematic coping mechanisms and behavioral difficulties. Check out the resources below to add to your toolbox.
Supporting Schools During and After Crisis: From Center of PBIS, resources to support the use of a multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) framework to support students, families, and educators during the transitions back to school during and following a crisis (e.g., a pandemic, natural disaster, other emergency) in a manner that prioritizes their health and safety, social and emotional needs, and behavioral and academic growth.
National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement: These guidelines included in Death of Student or Staff Booklet are designed to help school administrators, teachers, and crisis team members respond to the needs of students and staff after a loss has impacted the school environment, such as after the death of a student or staff member or when deaths occur that affect many people in the community.
- Specific Crisis Response & Support
One of the most important things for children in any type of crisis is to have at least one caring adult provide a sense of safety and support. Adults can help children by supporting their emotional and psychological needs, helping them understand the events factually, and providing the opportunity to process their reactions, as needed. Read on for additional tip sheets related to specific traumatic events.
NATURAL DISASTERS: Large-scale disasters, such as major tornados or wildfires, can have a strong emotional effect even for people not directly affected by the disasters. The scope of devastation and loss of life can be very disturbing and hard to comprehend. Large-Scale Natural Disasters: Helping Children Cope
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers tip sheets for school staff and caregivers to support youth after shootings and other traumatic events. School Shooting Resources | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE: Adults can help youth recognize that community violence does not have to dominate their lives if they understand their reactions to it, understand how to keep themselves safe, and understand how to make positive choices in dangerous times. NCTSN Resources
SUICIDE: When a person dies by suicide, many others are deeply affected. One study estimated that 115 people are exposed to each suicide, with 1 in 5 reporting that this experience had a devastating impact or caused a major life disruption. Postvention is a term often used in the suicide prevention field. Learn more about how your school can support those affected by suicide at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Long-Term Postvention – Suicide Prevention Resource Center
WAR & TERRORISM: intentional acts of violence that hurt innocent people are frightening and upsetting. Children and youth will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Families and school personnel can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security. Helping Children Cope with Terrorism
- Strategies to Help Students Deal with Grief & Loss
This course provides a quick overview and strategy ideas for supporting students dealing with grief and loss. Click here for Supporting Students with Grief and Loss.
Coalition to Support Grieving Students: an extensive website created by school and mental health professional to share a set of industry-endorsed resources that empower school communities in the ongoing support of their grieving students. Click on the link for the website of Coalition to Support Grieving Students.
Rainbows for All Children: an organization that provides groups in communities and schools to help children and youth cope with grief. Click here for Grief Support Services | Rainbows for All Children.
- Psychological First Aid
This 1-hour course provides an overview of Psychological First Aid (PFA), which began as a tool to help first responders cope with victims experiencing trauma on the scene. There are several models of PFA, but Psychological First Aid—Listen, Protect, Connect (PFA—LPCMT) was developed in response to a series of school shootings in the 1990s. Click here to be directed to the PFA course.
The Psychological First Aid Field Guide provides guidance on responding to disaster, violence, or terrorism events using the Psychological First Aid intervention. This version gives school administrators, educators, and staff practical assistance to meet immediate needs and concerns, reduce distress, and foster adaptive coping in the wake of a disaster. The manual includes in-depth information about each of the eight core actions and accompanying handouts for administrators, school staff, educators, students, and parents and caregivers. Click here to be directed to the PFA Field Guide.
