AllenComm and the Society of the Prevention of Teen Suicide Increase Awareness for Teachers

As part of its public service outreach, AllenComm has partnered with the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS) to develop two online courses that raise awareness and assist in breaking down the stigmas of teen suicide prevention. These courses have already been completed by 25,000 teachers and parents in the United States.

As a result of the pandemic, higher-than-normal cases of anxiety and depression are being reported. This new reality brings with it a greater need for suicide prevention awareness and practical tips for the 2020-2021 school year ahead. These new digital courses, called Act on Facts and Navigating Back to School, rise to the occasion of helping parents, teachers, and teens navigate anxiety and depression which is particularly important through this time of great stress.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which helps bring awareness to this important topic. Getting these courses into the hands of educators, parents, and students is more important than ever.

“For the first time, we are all experiencing a sub-conscious level of stress. People are beginning to realize that their mental health is being affected,” says Susan Tellone, Clinical Director for SPTS. “These courses we’ve developed with AllenComm are like no others I’ve seen and are one more tool in the toolbox for managing stress.”

Students, parents, and the school community can create a free account online at sptsuniversity.org

and take a short micro-module that can be completed in 15 minutes or less. These online lessons are designed to assist learners in recognizing depression and anxiety in teens, accepting that the foreseeable future will be one of uncertainty, and moving forward in the new learning climate. Courses include short video and audio clips, interactive activities, and instructional material to assist the community in raising mental health awareness.

“Talking about our mental health just like we talk about our physical health needs to be okay,” says Tellone. “It’s time to let go of the stigma and shame connected to mental health because it stops the conversations that will help us heal collectively.”

Corporations are encouraged to share the courses with their employees, especially parents of school-age children, to maintain and protect their families’ mental health. Employees who face anxiety about returning to the office will also benefit from these quick courses.

“We are proud to be associated with organizations that are helping our educators and parents deal with new realities,” said Ron Zamir, AllenComm CEO. “Online education is being boosted to new heights and AllenComm is proud to be a part of the innovation and scalability of online programs to teachers and parents.”

If you or someone you know may be in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

About AllenComm

For almost 40 years, AllenComm has partnered with Fortune 500 companies to create and scale transformative learning solutions. Extensive instructional design experience, innovative learning technologies, and agency-level creative teams enable AllenComm to stand out in the learning landscape. Considered one of the top ten firms for developing innovative learning experiences, AllenComm wins over 40 awards year after year for their solutions. Partnering with AllenComm to supplement and support human capital management needs has helped customers reduce expenses, shorten onboarding periods, and raise the impact of sales and compliance efforts.

For more information, visit allencomm.com.

About the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, Inc. (SPTS) is a non-profit community organization founded in 2005 by two fathers who each experienced a devastating loss of a teenage child by suicide.  The organization is dedicated to increasing awareness and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and outreach resources that empower teens, parents, and educational leaders with the guidance and skills needed to help those at risk of suicide build a life of resiliency.

For more resources, visit sptsusa.org