Free tools to support student and adult mental health

As Suicide Prevention Month takes place in September, it is useful to know about free mental health and suicide prevention resources that may be used with students, families, and school employees.

Mental Health Resources
The department provides mental health posters containing strategies to regulate emotions and de-stress, as well as a connection to resources to get additional support. These posters may be utilized by a variety of audiences spanning from elementary through adult. Schools may utilize posters within the Mental Health Poster Campaign by printing them and/or using them digitally and displaying them where the intended audience will see and utilize them. View all of the posters on the Mental Health Poster Campaign page.

The Division of Behavioral Health within the Department of Social Services has a variety of free resources designed for teachers and school counselors to utilize with students to help manage stress, develop health habits, and work through challenges they’re struggling. The SD Behavioral Health School & Educator Resources Toolkit offers resources for each grade range (elementary, middle, and high school) containing parent handouts, coloring sheets, text (SMS) content blocks, social media posts, email content blocks, and downloadable posters. Educators working with middle school-aged youth in grades 5-9 may order free middle school journals that provide prompts, quotes, and more to promote self-care, positivity, resilience, and other coping mechanisms that help students navigate their day-to-day lives. Educators may take advantage of additional digital resources including tech backgrounds, coloring sheets, counselor activity sheets, posters, and mindfulness videos. View the SD Behavioral Health School & Educator Resources Toolkit.

Suicide Prevention Promotion Resources
Educators may take advantage of promoting suicide prevention and getting support through free suicide prevention materials on the South Dakota Suicide Prevention website. Some of the free resources include pens, stickers, and the American Indian Reach for Life materials. View the materials and order form on the SDSP Request Materials page.

The Helpline Center provides free promotional materials to get the word out about 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline. Yard signs, window clings, posters, magnets, lanyards, and wristbands are a few of the materials one can order at no cost. View the materials and order them on the 988 Promotional Material page. The Helpline Center also has a School Resources page that highlights school-based resources.

If you or someone you know needs support now, call of text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org/chat.