The South Dakota Department of Education was awarded an $8.7 million Project AWARE grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant is a partnership with the South Dakota Department of Social Services – Division of Behavioral Health. The departments are partnering with school districts and community mental health centers to improve access to mental health services, train educational professionals, increase family and community awareness, and help youth develop healthy behavioral skills and mental wellness.

• Project AWARE

Together, we can prevent suicide. Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in South Dakota. The state had the 6th highest suicide rate in the nation in 2017. Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have harmful lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. While its causes are complex and determined by multiple factors, the goal of suicide prevention is simple: reduce factors that increase risk (risk factors) and increase factors that promote resilience (protective factors).

• South Dakota Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools
• Model school district policy on suicide prevention
• Suicide Awareness & Prevention Training for Educator Certification

South Dakota’s Community Mental Health Centers provide mental health services to youth and adults across the state. Services include screenings and assessments, case management, individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention. Youth whose families meet programmatic and financial eligibility guidelines or who have considerable personal circumstances may qualify for state-funded services.

• South Dakota Mental Health Services
• South Dakota Community Mental Health Centers