Description: 

"I have my dad's gun and I'm going to kill myself..."  These words could be the beginning of a youth worker's or campus minister's worst nightmare...or a life saved.  Every youth minister, campus minister, catechist, catechetical leader, teacher, coach  –  in short, any adult who serves as a companion to young people on their life's journey – needs to be prepared for these words.
       Our faith communities and youth programs are obviously not insulated from tragedy. Automobile accidents, serious illness, the loss of a parent or a sibling  –  we need to be prepared, to have a plan, to respond well and pastorally to teen crises.
       These two sessions provide the information, tools and skills that you'll need when and if the worst happens.

Session One: Preventing Teenage Suicide

Participants will...

• Understand the facts and myths about teenage suicide
• Know the warning signs of suicide and who's at risk
• Develop helpful and effective responses to suicidal youth
• Practice what to say, and what not to say, to suicidal teens
• Learn when and how to get help, and how to make a good referral
• Explore practical strategies for following up after a suicidal crisis. 

     9:30am-noon

Session Two: Youth Crisis Intervention

Participants will...

• Understand the psychological and emotional effects of crises – on individuals, families, faith communities, and pastoral care providers
• Review communication skills essential to helping teens and their families in crisis
• Develop an effective crisis response plan
• Learn how to implement a crisis response plan
• Explore ways to take care of oneself as one is taking care of others
• Learn to effectively draw upon community resources in a time of crisis
• Identify ways to help people draw upon the resources of their faith, and their faith communities, in dealing with trauma, grief and loss.

     1:00-3:30pm