by Jake Donofrio

Suicide prevention is often viewed as a deeply personal issue—something that affects individuals in crisis. But as Meghan Diamon, LCSW and Program Director of Suicide Education at MindWise Innovations, explains in this article, effective prevention is a community-wide effort. It’s about equipping everyone—friends, family, educators—with the tools to recognize warning signs and respond with compassion and action. 

Diamon’s journey into suicide prevention began in school dropout prevention, where she witnessed firsthand how unmet mental health needs were derailing students’ futures. Despite providing tutoring, mentoring, and basic needs support, her team often struggled to connect students to mental health services. That experience was a turning point. “Mental health is such a pervasive need,” she says, “suicide prevention is basically a part of any human service work.” 

Breaking Down Barriers in Schools 

One of the most significant challenges in suicide prevention is access. Diamon advocates for in-school mental health services, which eliminate many of the barriers students face. Yet, school-based staff are often stretched thin, with caseloads in the hundreds. She points to successful models where community mental health professionals’ partner with schools to provide deeper support—but emphasizes that more resources are urgently needed. 

The Power of Prevention Education for Students 

Suicide prevention education is common in schools—for teachers and staff. Most states require K-12 staff training which has a ripple effect beyond the school building. Schools are the largest employment sector in the U.S., and when educators learn suicide prevention skills, they bring those tools into their homes and communities. 

Diamon believes that educating students about suicide prevention should be a top priority. Students are often the first to notice warning signs in themselves or their peers, and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach out to a trusted adult can save lives. Schools that implement programs like SOS frequently have a powerful realization: students have been quietly carrying concerns—either for themselves or a friend—and the training provides the crucial guidance they need to take that first step toward getting help. 

Dispelling Myths and Fostering Hope 

One persistent concern is that teaching about suicide might encourage it—especially among youth. Diamon is clear: research shows the opposite. Teaching suicide prevention skills and sharing messages of hope and recovery do not encourage suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Instead, suicide prevention education creates space for help-seeking and healing. “If you talk about suicide with someone who is not doing well,” she says, “it opens the door for them to potentially ask for help.” 

What gives Diamon hope for the future? The kids. Their willingness to speak openly about mental health is changing the conversation—and pushing adults to rethink long-held beliefs. “This generation is changing the conversation,” she says, “and that brings a lot of hope.” 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2021 and has been edited and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.