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Creating a Culture of Care

Creating a Culture of Care:

Mental Health Awareness and Violence Prevention for School Staff and Students

Program Components

In response to the SAVE (Safety and Violence Education) Act, Presidential Consultants has developed a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to improve mental health awareness and violence prevention in schools.

This program equips both school staff and students with practical tools and strategies for recognizing and addressing mental health challenges, preventing violence, and fostering a safe, supportive school community.

• Mental Health Awareness: Recognize signs of mental health challenges and intervene early.

• Suicide Prevention: Identify suicidal ideation and provide timely support.

• Violence Prevention: Detect early signs of violent behavior and implement peer interventions.

• Social Inclusion: Promote a connected, supportive school environment to reduce isolation.

• Collaborative Environment: Foster teamwork between staff, students, and the community.

• Ongoing Evaluation: Continuously assess and improve the program’s effectiveness.

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Click here to download the full program description.


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Evidence-based

Our Creating a Culture of Care: Mental Health Awareness and Violence Prevention for School Staff and Students program demonstrates a strong rationale based on high-quality research and evidence-backed practices, particularly in the areas of suicide prevention and violence prevention.

Research on Suicide Prevention

The program draws from well-established evidence that school-based mental health interventions significantly reduce the risks of depression, suicide, and self-harm among students. Research published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) highlights that early identification and intervention in schools can help prevent suicide by identifying students in distress, providing them with appropriate support, and facilitating access to mental health services. A 2019 study by Pisani et al. emphasizes that training educators to recognize early signs of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms contributes to reducing suicide rates among adolescents:

   •    NIMH Suicide Statistics
   •    Pisani et al. (2019) Study on Suicide Prevention

In terms of practical implementation, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) supports educational programs that train staff and students to identify warning signs of suicide and seek help. Our program follows this evidence-backed approach by training both staff and students to recognize suicidal ideation and other mental health challenges early, encouraging timely intervention that aligns with these successful prevention strategies:

   •    AFSP Education Programs


Research on Violence Prevention

School violence prevention programs, especially those targeting bullying and gun-related incidents, are supported by extensive research showing that early detection and intervention reduce the likelihood of school violence. A key study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that interventions that promote social-emotional learning (SEL) and emphasize creating positive school climates can significantly decrease incidents of violence in schools:

   •    CDC – School Violence Prevention

Our program leverages this research by training educators to recognize early warning signs of violence, including bullying, and by encouraging peer support and proactive engagement in preventing violence before it escalates. Additionally, violence prevention programs that emphasize collaboration between students, staff, and the community have proven highly effective. For instance, a study by Farrell & Flannery (2006) shows that schools fostering strong communication and inclusive environments experience significant reductions in school violence:

   •    Farrell & Flannery Research


Ongoing Evaluation Efforts

To ensure the program’s ongoing effectiveness, we incorporate continuous feedback loops through staff surveys, student evaluations, and where requested, regular data collection on school safety incidents, mental health referrals, and behavioral outcomes. These evaluation efforts allow for real-time adjustments and improvements in the program, ensuring it remains responsive to the changing needs of the school community. Similar programs have shown significant reductions in violence and improved student mental health outcomes, as supported by ongoing evaluations in school districts implementing such strategies:

   •    CDC – Youth Violence and School Safety
   •    AFSP School-based Programs

By basing our program on research-backed practices and integrating continuous evaluation, the Creating a Culture of Care program is poised to effectively improve mental health outcomes and reduce violence in school communities.

Empower YouR SCHOOLS

As an official training provider of the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University, we offer tailored solutions to enhance student success and staff performance.

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