Suicide Prevention Materials and Resources

Mental Health Awareness Month Messaging 2024

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. There are many ways to get involved and learn more about mental health. 

The Suicide Prevention Taskforce and MDH Suicide Prevention Unit worked together to develop Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit with ideas, resources, and messages to share to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.

Safe messaging and media kits

• Safe Messaging around Mental Health and Suicide (PDF) -- Public messaging can have a major impact on how or whether we address suicide in Minnesota. This guide provides simple tips for lifting up a narrative that supports help seeking, mental health promotion, and suicide prevention.
• StayConnectedMN Toolkit (PDF) -- This toolkit provides messaging, emails, and social media posts regarding mental well-being. Although it was designed for use during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these messages and resources can be used at any time.
• Using a Person's Correct Pronouns Saves Lives (PDF) -- An important part of creating a supportive environment for transgender and nonbinary youth is understanding – and using appropriately – the terms they use to describe themselves.

Printable materials and guides

• Developing Strategies for Social Connection to Promote Mental Health and Wellbeing (PDF) - Social connection is a vital protective factor for mental health and suicide prevention. This guidance document was developed for leaders of multi-sector community coalitions who are facilitating a process to improve social connection in the community, ultimately working toward improving mental health and preventing suicides.
• You Matter - Mental Health and Suicide Crisis Materials - Printable materials to be used to share messages about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for people seeking support, referrals, guidance and mental health support to help prevent suicide.
• Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health and Suicide Toolkit (PDF) - This toolkit was developed to provide Minnesotans with recommendations for action, tools, and resources that can be used by organizations, communities, and individuals to normalize conversations about mental health, prevent Minnesotans from having suicidal experiences, and improve the lives of people who are struggling, so they know they are not alone, help is available, and healing is possible.
• Difficult Conversations: A guide for funeral director's to address deaths by suicide (PDF) - Funeral directors play a very important role in supporting those bereaved by suicide loss. There are many grief support resources available to support survivors of unexpected loss, and a compassionate funeral director can be one of those important resources.
• Suicide Loss Bereavement Packet (PDF) - This information was developed to provide support and resources to community organizations and groups that are interested in customizing a bereavement packet to support suicide loss survivors. Individuals and organizations that might find the packet helpful include funeral home directors, faith leaders, county public health, law enforcement, military staff and organizations, suicide prevention coalitions, primary health care, behavioral health care, and family or friends.
  • Download the individual documents in the Suicide Loss Bereavement Packet:
    • Suicide Loss Bereavement Packet Guide (PDF) - Tips on how to use the information in the Suicide Loss Bereavement Packet.
    • Suicide loss condolence letter template (PDF) - This content can be used as a template to create condolence letters and customize as needed.
    • After a Death by Suicide: Brochures, Booklets, Handouts (PDF) - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, and National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota resources.
    • Suicide Loss Survivors Support Resources (PDF) - Support available to help cope with the loss of a loved one to suicide that may be helpful on a path to healing.
    • Resources for After a Suicide (PDF) - Links to websites with resources including those specifically for youth and young people, workplace, school settings K-12, military and rural.

School and educator resources

• Supporting students virtually (PDF) - Here are some tips for teachers engaged in virtual distance learning to support students that may have suicidal thoughts.
• Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools - This toolkit provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) assists high schools and school districts in designing and implementing strategies to prevent suicide and promote behavioral health.
• After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools (PDF) - This toolkit provided by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides step-by-step guidance, templates, and resources for schools all in one place.
• The Model School Policy - The Trevor Project collaborated with others to create a Model School District Policy for Suicide Prevention to make it easier for schools to prevent, assess, intervene in, and respond to suicidal behavior.

Crisis resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
• State Mobile Crisis Services – Every county in Minnesota provides Mobile Crisis Services for both children and adults that may be experiencing suicidal feelings or mental health crisis. Crisis services are available within each county 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. County crisis teams are available for phone support as well as face-to-face crisis help.
• Crisis Text Line - Text Home to 741741. The Crisis Text Line provides free crisis support 24/7 for any crisis.