Free suicide prevention training for parents, teachers and pastors

Do Not Lose Hope is not a crisis line or a training provider. We list programs so you can choose one. If someone is thinking of suicide right now, call or text 988, or see What to do right now. If someone is in danger, call 911.

What will I learn in a class like this?

Most community classes teach the same core skills, sometimes called "gatekeeper" training:

• Spot the warning signs. Changes in mood, talk of being a burden, giving things away, pulling away from people.
• Ask directly. "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" Research shows asking does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior.
• Listen and keep them safe. Stay with them and put distance between them and anything they could use to hurt themselves.
• Connect them to help. 988, a county crisis line, a doctor or a counselor.
• Follow up. Check in over the next days and weeks.

Short classes (one to two hours) cover the basics. Longer ones, like Mental Health First Aid (8 hours) or ASIST (2 days), add practice and role play. Pick the one that fits your time.

If you want to start reading now, see Warning signs that someone may be thinking of suicide and How to talk with someone you love about suicide.

Can I take a class online?

Yes. These are options we found.

• Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Suicide Prevention (Santa Clara County). A free, self paced online course for the general community, about 1.5 hours. It teaches how to spot warning signs, ask someone directly about suicide, and connect them to support. Go to bit.ly/bsbbsponline and enter code SCBSBB. The county funds it through Proposition 63. The page does not limit it to county residents.
• Didi Hirsch (online, from anywhere). Didi Hirsch's training team says its virtual sessions can be joined from anywhere, and it also runs a self paced online academy. Its offerings include a 1.5 hour adult presentation and a shorter teen presentation, both available in Spanish. The page does not list prices. Call (424) 362-2900 to ask about cost.
• AFSP Talk Saves Lives. A 45 to 60 minute presentation on warning signs, risk factors and what to do, offered in person and virtually through local AFSP chapters. The page does not say whether it is free. Check AFSP's program calendar.
• QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). A well known one hour online course. It is not free: QPR Institute lists a one time fee of $29.95. Some counties offer QPR at no cost; ask yours.

Are there free classes in person in the Bay Area?

San Mateo County. The county says its community helper trainings are free and evidence based. Its community education page says the free public courses are funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63). Options:

• Be Sensitive, Be Brave (BSBB). Two free two hour workshops, one on mental health and one on suicide prevention, virtual or in person, for anyone high school age and up. Currently offered in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Register through the form at kingdomlove.live/smc-trainings.
• Know the Signs / Reconozca Las Señales. A free workshop on suicide warning signs and how to support someone, in English and Spanish. Call (650) 208-5799.
• Mental Health First Aid. An 8 hour course in adult and youth versions, run for the county by Kingdom Love. Sign up at kingdomlove.live/smcounty.
• ASIST. A two day suicide first aid workshop the county says is currently open to all community members. No prior training is needed.
• Peninsula Suicide Prevention presentations (Felton). One to three hour talks for organizations. See the next section.

To check upcoming dates, see the county's class calendar or email ODE@smcgov.org.

Santa Clara County. Besides the online BSBB course above, the county page says you can arrange a live training through the contacts listed there, or call Behavioral Health Services at (800) 704-0900.

Elsewhere in California. We checked only San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. To find out what your county offers, call your county line from the DHCS county list and ask for "suicide prevention training" or "Mental Health First Aid."

Is there training in Spanish?

Yes.

• San Mateo County: Reconozca Las Señales, a free 2.5 hour Spanish session. Call (650) 208-5799.
• Didi Hirsch: most sessions, including the adult and teen presentations, are offered in Spanish.
• AFSP: the Talk Saves Lives version for Latinx and Hispanic communities is available in English and Spanish.
• San Mateo County Mental Health First Aid has offered adult classes in Spanish. Ask Kingdom Love about the next one.

For other languages, ask your county. San Mateo's BSBB is offered in Cantonese and Mandarin.

How do I bring a training to my group?

If you lead a school, a congregation, a sports team, a parent group or a workplace, you can ask a trainer to come to you.

1. Pick a date and a room, or a video link. Plan for 1 to 3 hours for most community talks.
2. Ask who your group is. Parents? Teens? Staff? Spanish speakers? Trainers can adjust.
3. Send a request:
   • San Mateo County groups: Peninsula Suicide Prevention, run by Felton, offers presentations to school districts, nonprofits, government agencies and community organizations, including suicide prevention, Youth SOS, Mental Health First Aid and a 988 talk. Email smsp@felton.org or use the form on its page.
   • San Mateo BSBB: use the host form at kingdomlove.live/smc-trainings.
   • Santa Clara County groups: use the live training contact on the county's training page.
   • Anywhere: Didi Hirsch takes requests through the form on its training page or at (424) 362-2900. AFSP chapters host Talk Saves Lives.
4. Share local numbers at the end. Give everyone 988 and your county crisis line.

For pastors and other community leaders. People often come to a trusted leader first. A class helps you know when to listen, when to ask directly, and when to connect someone to 988 or a counselor the same day. It does not replace professional care; it helps you get people there.

What should teachers know?

California requires every school district, county office of education and charter school to have a pupil suicide prevention policy for kindergarten through grade 12. The law says the policy must cover prevention, intervention and the time after a suicide, and must address suicide awareness and prevention training for teachers. It also must address groups of students at higher risk, including youth bereaved by suicide, youth with disabilities or mental illness, youth experiencing homelessness or in foster care, and LGBTQ youth.

What to do:

• Ask your principal or district office for the policy and the training it offers staff.
• Know who your school's crisis contact is, and how to reach them during the day.
• Take one of the free classes above if your school's training has not happened yet.

For worried parents, see When your teen is struggling.

What do I do after the class?

• Save the numbers. Put 988 and your county crisis line in your phone. In San Mateo County, that line is (650) 579-0350. In Santa Clara County, (800) 704-0900, press 1.
• Practice the question. Say it out loud a few times so it comes out easier when it matters.
• Know the steps. The 988 Lifeline's #BeThe1To campaign lists five steps: Ask, Be There, Help Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, and Follow Up.
• Take care of yourself. Helping can be heavy. You can call 988 for yourself too.

Questions people ask

Do I need a background in mental health? No. Community classes are made for everyday people.

Is it okay to take a class if I lost someone to suicide? Yes, many people do. Classes can bring up strong feelings, so tell the trainer, take breaks, and bring a friend. See Grieving someone who died by suicide.

Can teens take these classes? Some, yes. San Mateo's BSBB is for high school age and up, and Didi Hirsch has a teen presentation. Youth Mental Health First Aid is for adults who work with young people.

Will I get a certificate? Some classes give one, like Mental Health First Aid. Ask the trainer.

Does training make me responsible if something happens? No. You are learning to notice and connect. The goal is to get the person to trained help.

Is there a worksheet I can print?

Who can help

Contact them to confirm dates, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Santa Clara County Behavioral Health, Suicide Prevention trainings: (800) 704-0900. bhsd.santaclaracounty.gov
• San Mateo County BHRS, Office of Diversity and Equity (Know the Signs, BSBB): (650) 208-5799, ODE@smcgov.org. smchealth.org
• Peninsula Suicide Prevention, Felton (San Mateo County groups): smsp@felton.org. felton.org
• Didi Hirsch Training and Outreach: (424) 362-2900. didihirsch.org
• AFSP Talk Saves Lives: afsp.org
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988. 988lifeline.org

One class can turn worry into knowing what to do. That is a gift to everyone around you.