Suicide Awareness, Prevention, & Postvention
Suicide Prevention Is Everyone's Business
Suicide is a tragic and preventable loss for families and communities. This website is designed to help Alaskans promote a culture that restores hope, encourages distressed people to seek help, and builds resilience and connectedness among families and communities.
Alaskans do not need to feel hopeless and suffer in silence. All of us can play a role in preventing suicide. Learn what you can do.
Staff Suicide Awareness & Prevention Trainings
Alaska Statute 14.30.362 requires DEED to review and approve suicide awareness and prevention training used to satisfy this statutory requirement. Please find below the list of approved trainings, training criteria, and DEED eLearning courses.
- Staff Suicide Awareness and Prevention Trainings (pdf)
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training Criteria (pdf)
- Suicide Awareness & Prevention eLearning Courses
Looking for Help?
If you are feeling down or are looking for help for yourself or others, please talk to someone. Here are some resources:
Important Dates
- Suicide Prevention Week
- September 5-11
- World Suicide Prevention Day
- September 10
- National Bullying Prevention Month
- October
- Mental Health Awareness Week
- October 5 - 9
- National Depression Screening Day
- October 6
- World Mental Health Day
- October 10
- International Survivors of Suicide Day
- November 19
- Mental Health Month (pdf)
- May
Contact Us
- Education Specialist
- Sharon Fishel: (907) 465-6523
State Requirements
Warning Signs
There are some warning signs that someone is at risk for suicide. Risk is greater when these behaviors are new or increased. The risk for suicide is also greater if the following behavior(s) is linked to a painful or stressful event, loss or change.
- Talking about wanting to die or committing suicide
- Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or purchasing a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing use of drugs or alcohol
- Acting anxious or agitated
- Behaving recklessly
- Change in sleeping habits - too much sleep or too little sleep
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about revenge
- Extreme mood swings
Available Resources
Student Screening Tools & Curriculum
Alaska Resources
- Alaska State Suicide Prevention Plan: 2018-2022 Casting the Net Upstream: Promoting Wellness to Prevent Suicide in Alaska (pdf)
- 2014 Alaska Postvention Guide Preparing to Heal
National Resources
- 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action (pdf)
- A Guide to Suicide Prevention (pdf)
- After a Suicide Tool Kit for Schools (pdf)
- American Indian/ Alaska Native Suicide Prevention Strategies (pdf)
- Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention (pdf)
- Postvention (pdf)
- Preventing Suicide A Tool Kit for High Schools (pdf)
- Suicide Prevention Guide (pdf)
- Youth Suicide Prevention School Based Guide (pdf)
Alaska Links
National Links
- American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Indian Health Service American Indian and Alaska Native Suicide Prevention
- Jason Foundation
- Kognito
- Mental Health America
- Means Matter
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- One Sky Center
- Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Mental Illness
- Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
- Stop Bullying Now (HRSA)
- Stop A Suicide Today
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- Survivors of Suicide
- The Centre for Suicide Prevention
- The Random Act of Kindness Foundation
