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Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training

South Dakota Codified Law 13-42-71 requires anyone applying for an initial or renewal certificate as a teacher, administrator or other education professional to participate in a minimum of one clock hour of suicide awareness and prevention training.

House Bill 1020 will go into effect beginning July 1, 2024. Updates will be made to this page prior to the new law going into effect.



Required Documentation

A certificate of completion for the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training must be submitted when an initial or renewal application is completed.

Approved Online Training
  • Save the certificate of completion as a PDF
  • Upload the certificate of completion as a PDF when you apply for your initial or renewal certificate
Approved In-Person Training
  • You should receive a certificate of completion following the training. Make sure the certificate is signed by the trainer and includes the name of the training, date, and your name
  • Scan and save the document as a PDF
  • Upload the certificate of completion as a PDF when you apply for your initial or renewal
Approved Online Training

The online training options provided by the following organizations have been approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards as meeting the guidelines for online training.

The Jason Foundation
The Jason Foundation is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. Online training resources include a series of modules which introduce the scope and magnitude of the problem of youth suicide, the signs of concern, risk factors, how to recognize young people who may be struggling, how to approach the student and how to help an at-risk youth find resources for assistance.
    Guidance for accessing the training:
    1. Click the "Training" link on this page
    2. Log in or Register.
    3. Select "2-Hour Courses" under "Catalog".
    4. Click on "Module 5 Youth Suicide: A Silent Epidemic".
    5. Select "Register to Begin".


Type Name of Training Cost Certificate of Completion
Online Module 5 Youth Suicide: A Silent Epidemic Free Yes


The Helpline Center
The Helpline Center is recognized for suicide prevention work in South Dakota.

Type Name of Training Cost Certificate of Completion
Online Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention: Act on FACTS (60 min) Free Yes


The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment

The Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Training Series provides professionals with tools to successfully advocate for children and adults in need, while learning how to work in interprofessional teams to provide wraparound services and overcome problems associated with rurality, funding, and lack of services. The CAASt programming will create advocates who can use critical thinking skills to help align services and recovery to people in need. Training attendees will better understand suicide prevention strategies for students in South Dakota, will learn the process and importance of mandatory reporting, and will gain knowledge in trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approaches. It is essential for people working within the education system to identify trauma and adversity in students, respond in a manner that allows the student to begin the healing process while continuing to function within a classroom or school setting, and promote access to services through utilization of a multidisciplinary team.

Guide to access the training



Type Name of Training Cost Certificate of Completion
Online The Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Training Free Yes
Approved In-Person Group Training

The in-person training options provided by the following organizations have been approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards as meeting the guidelines for training.

Type Training Cost Completion Certificate Training Request Link
In-Person or Virtual
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)
QPR has three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide: Question, Persuade, and Refer. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. QPR can be learned in as little as one hour.
Free
Yes
SD Suicide Prevention Request Training page
In-person
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
ASIST is a two-day, interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Anyone 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.
Free
Yes
SD Suicide Prevention Request Training page
In-Person, Virtual, or Hybrid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Learn more.
Free
Yes
SD Suicide Prevention Request Training page
In-Person or Virtual
More Than Sad Suicide Prevention for Teachers and Other School Personnel
The More Than Sad family of programs has taught over a million students, parents, and educators how to be smart about mental health. Educators and other school personnel will learn how to recognize mental health conditions, the warning signs of suicide, and the steps they can take get help for at-risk students.
Free
Yes
Contact Samantha Christopherson at schristopherson@afsp.org, 701-371-1194
In-Person or Virtual
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
Talk Saves Lives is AFSP s standardized, 60-minute education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and how to keep themselves and others safe. The standard Talk Saves Lives presentation is also available in Spanish.
Free
Yes
Contact Samantha Christopherson at schristopherson@afsp.org, 701-371-1194
In-Person or Virtual
Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Training Series
The Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Training Series provides professionals with tools to successfully advocate for children and adults in need, while learning how to work in interprofessional teams to provide wraparound services and overcome problems associated with rurality, funding, and lack of services. The CAASt programming will create advocates who can use critical thinking skills to help align services and recovery to people in need. Training attendees will better understand suicide prevention strategies for students in South Dakota, will learn the process and importance of mandatory reporting, and will gain knowledge in trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approaches. It is essential for people working within the education system to identify trauma and adversity in students, respond in a manner that allows the student to begin the healing process while continuing to function within a classroom or school setting, and promote access to services through utilization of a multidisciplinary team.
Free
Yes
Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment CAASt Training page

Questions on Educator Certification? Visit the Educator Certification webpage or email the Office of Educator Certification.