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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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Suicide Prevention

During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month each September, we remind our AAPS community of the important role we all can play in preventing suicide. Although this is a tough topic, we know that working together to reduce stigma, recognize warning signs, and encourage help-seeking can make a big difference in keeping students safe. 

Each Friday District Update in September, we are featuring critical information and resources for youth suicide prevention. All of the updates are listed below. 

September 5 - Learn the Risk Factors, Warning Signs, and Protective Factors to Suicide

Talking about suicide or self-harm, expressing hopelessness, displaying severe emotional pain/distress, and worrisome changes in behavior are all signs that someone is struggling or in crisis. Read useful, more detailed information about warning signs and how to build protective factors HERE.
 

September 12 - Myths and Facts about Youth Suicide

The topic of suicide holds a lot of stigma and is deeply rooted in fear and misconceptions. Get the facts about the myths below here. 
  • Myth 1: Only youth who are depressed attempt suicide. 
  • Myth 2: Talking to youth about suicide will lead to and encourage suicide. 
  • Myth 3: Most youth who talk about suicide won't follow through - it's merely an attempt to get attention. 
  • Myth 4: Suicide only occurs in one small segment of the student population. 
  • Myth 5: Suicides always happen in an impulsive moment. 
Learn the facts about all of these myths here. 
 

September 19 - Concerned? How to Talk about Suicide with Someone You Know 

Talking about suicide can seem intimidating, but everyone has the ability to do it in a caring and effective way. Start by expressing care, be an active listener, use non-judgmental language, keep asking questions, involve other trusted adults, and guide to professional resources.  
 
Additional resources:    
  • Starting the Conversation on Suicide - walks through the basics of how to prepare and approach a conversation with someone you're concerned about. 
  • Supportive Language When Talking About Suicide - gives specific examples of how to use accurate and non-judgmental language so youth feel supporting and encouraged to seek the help they need. 
  • If you're worried about someone in your home, learn how to be Safer at Home by removing access to lethal means. It may feel drastic, but taking these steps has proven to be life saving. 

September 26 - Resources and Partnerships 

Help is available from local and national suicide prevention resources and AAPS partnerships. 

For immediate crisis situations:
For non-crisis mental health care:
AAPS contracts with Care Solace to provide free, confidential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care Coordination Service for students, staff, and their family members. They can help you find a mental health or substance use provider matched to your needs.
 
It's easy to access Care Solace:
  • Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Visit www.caresolace.com/aaps and either search on your own or click "Book Appointment" for assistance via video chat, email, or phone.

AAPS is grateful for community partners who provide education, training, support groups, and clinical services to support student mental health, including:

  • Corner Health Center 
  • Girls Group
  • Miles J. Roberts Foundation - Champions Program for HS athletic teams
  • Neutral Zone
  • U of M Eisenberg Family Depression Center - Peer to Peer Depression Awareness Groups, SafeTALK 
  • U of M Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools - clinics at Scarlett MS and Pioneer HS
  • U of M Trails to Wellness - curriculum, training, and other resources
  • WISD Bridge Team - brief social work interventions in schools
  • ...and more

With support and compassion, we can make a difference in our students' well-being. Let's stand together to raise awareness about suicide prevention, provide assistance, and foster hope for a brighter future.

Updated 9/25/2025

First page of the PDF file: SuicidePreventionandAwarenessFlyerK-12