Sources of Strength is a best practice youth suicide prevention project that utilizes the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, towards the outcome of ultimately preventing suicide, bullying and substance abuse. The program focuses on spreading Hope, Help and Strength. and is designed to prevent suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and connections between peers and caring adults. Sources of Strength takes a different approach in youth suicide prevention by moving beyond a singular focus on risk factors, toward building multiple sources of support around young individuals so that when times get hard they have multiple strengths (protective factors) to rely on. We are currently partnered in research with: - the University of Rochester in the National Peer Leadership study; - the University of Manitoba and Swampy Cree on suicide prevention in 1st nation communities; - Stanford University on schools experiencing suicide contagion; - John Hopkins University and the White Mountain Apache - Rutgers University on a Turning the Tide program and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy; - Tanana Chiefs Conference in numerous Yukon area villages; - Robert D. Macy Ph.D., president of the International Trauma Center with Harvard School of Medicine on strength-based work with traumatized communities; - as well as numerous other state, provincial, tribal nations, university, school, community, and faith-based efforts. Sources of Strength has trained over 20,000 peer leaders reaching a half million middle school, high school, and university age students. In 2015 Sources of Strength will also be partnering with the Black Dog Institute, a well known mental health research organization in Australia, with a Sources of Strength trial in Sydney and Canberra schools.
