Mental Wellness

People go through difficult times, and it is not uncommon to explore options to ease or stop the pain. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there is help available.

It may be surprising to know that talking to someone about suicide does not increase the risk of suicide and the conversation provides an opportunity for connection and support.

The resources on this page can help you or someone you know find hope, get through this moment, build resiliency for later, connect to others, and learn how to help someone.

• Care Solace available for SKPS students, staff and families - Salem-Keizer Public Schools, in partnership with Care Solace, is committed supporting the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families.
• My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? - infographic from National Institute of Mental Health to determine if your mental health symptoms are interfering with your daily life.
• Warning Signs Infographics- infographic with common behaviors of those thinking about suicide from National Institute of Mental Health
• 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain
• Find a Therapist — Psychology Today provides a list of local therapist based on city and zip code. Includes insurance, specialized issues, and if they offer online therapy.
• Jed Foundation — The Jed Foundation’s Mental Health Resource Center provides essential information about common emotional health issues and shows teens and young adults how they can support one another, overcome challenges, and make a successful transition to adulthood.
• notOK — A free digital panic button to get you immediate support via text. App is available for iOS (Apple Store) and android (Google Play).
• Superbetter — Playing SuperBetter improves mood and perceived social support and increases belief in the ability to successfully achieve goals. It promotes new levels of personal growth.
• Teen Talk App – Support for Teens by Teens — a free iPhone and Android app where teens can get support for whatever they may be dealing with from a trained teen on Teen Line
• Teen Suicide Prevention Video — Mayo Clinic video for parents which includes warning signs and how to respond
• Warning Signs of Suicide — A list of signs that someone may be thinking about suicide.
• American Association of Suicidology — We are an inclusive community that envisions a world where people know how to prevent suicide and find hope and healing.
• American Psychological Association: Topic Suicide — What you can do, getting help and other related resources
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center — Provides extensive information, effective prevention strategies, online library, and online training. All available for free.
• What To Do If You’re Concerned with Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Conversation Guide — by the JED Foundation
• The Steve Fund’s site is focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.  The Steve Fund works with colleges and universities, non-profits, researchers, mental health experts, families, and young people to promote programs and strategies that build understanding and assistance for the mental and emotional health of the nation’s young people of color. See link:
• Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center material on risk and protective factors for older adults
• US Department of Veterans Affairs website
• Service Members, Veterans, and Families - 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Read more about 988 and resources available to service members, veterans, and their families. There are also many other categories of information that are helpful. See link: 
• Acres of Hope Youth Ranch: A youth ranch with a mission to share HOPE (Healing, Opportunity, Purpose, Education) with adolescents.
• Common Sense Media — Parenting, media, and everything in between, including gaming and social media rules and dealing with online harassment. Filterable by age group.
• iRespect & Protect — Helps children, youth, and adults recognize their self-worth and the influence of device use on their lives. Includes tools, resources, and trainings for parents.
• Support on Social Media with Lifeline — If you are worried about someone on social media, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline safety teams, who will reach out through the social media platform to connect the user with the help they need.
• Teen Line PSA video — learn about Teen Line and what to expect when you call. See All Teen Line videos here.
• Youth Era — Youth can connect with peer supports/peers via Twitch, Instagram, Discord or video chat through Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

We are glad you are here visiting this site and exploring resources. We honor your courage and strength as you seek to help prevent suicide in our community.

While discussing suicide can be uncomfortable, it is essential in supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors. Our school district partners with the school community to provide hope, help, and healing.

• American Association of Suicidology — We are an inclusive community that envisions a world where people know how to prevent suicide and find hope and healing.
• American Psychological Association: Topic Suicide — What you can do, getting help and other related resources.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center — Provides extensive information, effective prevention strategies, online library, and online training. All available for free.
• What To Do If You’re Concerned With Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Conversation Guide — by the JED Foundation
• My Friend is Suicidal: What Should I Do? — National Alliance on Mental Health
• Question Persuade Refer (QPR Institute) — With these three steps anyone can learn how to help prevent suicide. QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis. It can save lives. Salem-Keizer provides QPR training for all its employees.
• Seize the Awkward — Learn how to talk to a friend about suicide.
• Whatever Gets You Talking – Music Video — video about reaching out to a friend about their mental health by Seize the Awkward.

The location and sites of support meetings are always changing to accommodate the participants. Here are two key sites to find out more about support groups in your area.

Willamette Vital Health

WVH offers free bereavement support groups and workshops to anyone in our community who has faced the recent death of a loved one – whether they used WVH Hospice or Supportive Care services. 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP)

• Get help | AFSP - The Get Help section of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention lists support opportunities based on your needs.
• Articles from AFSP:
  • Healing Conversations: Personal Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss
  • Practical Information for Immediately After a Loss
  • Dougy Center Grief and Loss Support — find support, resources, and connection before and after a death.
  • For resources specific to death after a suicide

Other Grief & Loss/Survivor Resources

• How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family — Guides for families of preschoolers, school age children, and teenagers, by Rocky Mountain MIRECC
• OHA Resources for Crisis and Trauma Response — Oregon Health Authority provides resources for individuals, families, and professionals dealing with traumatic events.
• Suicide Loss Survivors | Alliance of Hope - Alliance for Hope has support resource information for healing and remembrance.

General Cultural Resources

• Racial and Ethnic Disparities from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Mental Health America’s site with mental health Resources for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
• Inclusive Therapists’ site to find care available in English and Spanish.

Asian & Pacific Islander Communities

• Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) — Advance the mental health and well-being of Asian American communities through research, professional practice, education, and policy.
• Asian Health and Service Center — Portland-based physical and behavioral health services for Asian American communities.
• Asian LifeNet Hotline — 24-hour support, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Fujianese are offered.
• Asian Mental Health Collective — AMHC aspires to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities worldwide.
• Asian Mental Health Project — Aims to educate and empower Asian communities in seeking mental healthcare.
• Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) — Community advocacy organization with opportunities for leadership development and political and community involvement.
• IRCO Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center — One-stop community center providing and promoting culturally relevant services to families.
• Asian American Health Initiative’s Resource library.
• South Asian Mental Health Alliance, a non-profit network dedicated to mental health awareness, acceptance, support, and empowerment. 
• National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association promotes the mental health and wellbeing of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. NAAPIMHA strives to raise awareness of the role of mental health in an individual’s health and wellbeing. 

Black & African American Communities

• AAKOMA Project — Their mission is to build the consciousness of Youth of Color and their caregivers to seek help and manage mental health.
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) — BEAM is dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.
• Black Girls Smile — Encourages positive mental health education, resources, and support geared toward young Black women and girls.​
• Black Mental Health Alliance (BMHA) — BMHA's mission is to develop, promote and sponsor trusted culturally-relevant educational forums, trainings and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and their communities.
• Melanin & Mental Health — Connect individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.
• Southeast Addiction Center — Top 50 resources for Black men who are struggling with substance use and/or their mental health.
• Therapy for Black Girls — Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
• Therapy for Black Men — Break the stigma that asking for help is a sign of weakness. We are here to provide judgment-free, multiculturally competent care to Black men.
• Black Mental Wellness’ site with community support and knowledge. 
• Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation’s website offering Black community resources, connections and support needed to break the silence and stigma around mental health. 
• National Alliance on Mental Health’s site for Black/African American identity and cultural dimensions.

Latino & Hispanic Communities

• Latinx Therapists Action Network — An online platform and network of Latinx mental health practitioners honoring and affirming the dignity and healing of migrant communities marginalized by criminalization, detention, and deportation.
• Latinx Therapy — A national directory to find a Latinx therapist.
• Melanin & Mental Health — Connect individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.
• Therapy for Latinx website. is a new online database that makes it easy for Latinx people to find mental health professionals in their own communities.
• Latinx Therapists and Speakers
• MANA - A National Latina Organization with resources and information. 
• National Alliance for Hispanic Health’s site with resources and information. 

Native American Youth

• Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) — The Center for Native American Youth believes all Native American youth should lead full and healthy lives, have equal access to opportunity, and draw strength from their culture and one another.
• Indian Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health — Serves as the primary source of national advocacy, policy development, management, and administration of behavioral health, alcohol and substance abuse, and family violence prevention programs for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people.
• Stronghearts Native Helpline — Intimate partner violence and sexual assault helpline for Native Americans. 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) is a 24/7 safe, confidential, and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
• We-R-Native, a site by/for Native Youth 

Integrated Services Provided by Most Tribes and NARA

• Telehealth
• Behavioral health (substance use/abuse and mental health)
• Prevention
• Wellness
• Peer-delivered services
• Housing
• Emergency services
• Self-sufficiency
• Child welfare
• Crisis services and
• Culturally responsive suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.

Tribal Program Details

• Burns Paiute Tribe
• Confederated Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
• Coquille Indian Tribe
• Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
• Klamath Tribes
• Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians
• Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
• Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
• Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
• Native American Rehabilitation Association

LGBTQ+  & Gender Identity and Expression

• GLAAD: Trans resources, tips, and frequently asked questions.
• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network organizes mental health practitioners to establish a network where therapists can deepen their analysis of healing justice and where QTPoC community can connect to care. 
• Straight for Equality resources for allies. 
• The Transgender Training Institute provides education and training.
• Trans Lifeline
• Unity at Harvard School of Public Health. Resources for Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming People.
• GLSEN, Back to School in a Pandemic: LGBTQ Student Safety
• Resources for LGBTQIA+ Youth During COVID-19
• The Trevor Project is a place you can access a counselor if you are struggling. You can find answers, information and get the tools to help someone else.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Individuals

• Deaf Counseling Center (DCC)
• National Deaf Therapy (NDT)
• 988 Suicide Lifeline Prevention

Visiting this site and these resources are important steps towards helping prevent suicide in our schools and community. These resources can support you, your colleagues, family, and friends who may be experiencing a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. While discussing suicide can be uncomfortable, it is valuable in reducing stigma surrounding suicide and connecting to others.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools strives to offer hope, help and partnership in the journey towards a healthy and resilient community. 

• Employee Wellness — Wellness programs and resources for district staff and their families
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — Available to District employees, this service helps people privately resolve problems that may interfere with work, family, and other important areas of life.  As Salem-Keizer staff, there is no cost to you or anyone living in your household – Same as Employee Wellness link that goes to SKPS employee wellness page.
• Headspace for Educators — Whether you’re feeling inspired to connect more with your students or you’re looking for a new way to bring calm to your classroom, Headspace can help students build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Headspace offers free access to K-12 teachers.
• Calm School Resources — Free tools for resilient classrooms: 30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom, Self-Care Guide for Teachers
• 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention – Jason Foundation Professional Development Series — Training modules provide information on the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. These training are suitable for teachers and any adult who works with young people or wants to learn more about youth suicide.
• Alone (video) — by Central High School students
• Stuck (Video) — by Dallas High School Students
• Common Sense Media — Parenting, media, and everything in between, including gaming and social media rules and dealing with online harassment. Filterable by age group.
• Find a Therapist — Psychology Today provides a list of local therapist based on city and zip code. Includes insurance, specialized issues, and if they offer online therapy.
• Jed Foundation — The Jed Foundation’s Mental Health Resource Center provides essential information about common emotional health issues and shows teens and young adults how they can support one another, overcome challenges, and make a successful transition to adulthood.
• NAMI Parents & Teachers as Allies — National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - slide show on suicide prevention in schools (for teachers). 
• Oregon Classroom WISE: Mental Health Literacy for All Oregonians — Mental health and wellbeing resources including free, online, self-guided modules for adults and youth. It includes a collection of print and video resources, guided tutorials and role plays, and interviews with youth and school personnel.
• SAHMSA Suicide Prevention Resources — (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center — Provides extensive information, effective prevention strategies, online library, and online training. All available for free.
• Suicide Prevention Webinar (NAMI) — Covers the range of risk and protective factors, the warning signs, and what to do if someone may be at risk for suicide.
• Superbetter — Playing SuperBetter improves mood and perceived social support and increases belief in the ability to successfully achieve goals. It promotes new levels of personal growth.

• Question Persuade Refer (QPR Institute) — With these three steps anyone can learn how to help prevent suicide. QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis. It can save lives. Salem-Keizer provides QPR training for all its employees.