NYC Public Schools partner with JED to provide online training for school nurses in suicide prevention

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), in collaboration with the NYC Department of Health and The Jed Foundation (JED), has launched a new initiative to support suicide prevention efforts in schools. 

Approximately 1,500 school nurses across more than 1,800 public schools will receive training to better identify and respond to students experiencing mental health crises.

The training programme, developed by JED, a national nonprofit focused on emotional health and suicide prevention, consists of a 90-minute, eight-module online course. Launched in June, the course equips school nurses with the skills needed to identify, screen, and refer students at risk of suicide. 

To date, 375 nurses have completed the training, with participants reporting improved confidence in recognising warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating:

"Our administration continues to remain laser focused on addressing the crisis of youth mental health. Today's announcement, in partnership with The Jed Foundation, to train approximately 1,500 school nurses in suicide prevention brings us one step closer to meeting our students where they are and supporting their mental health needs at every turn.

“Whether it is filing a lawsuit to hold social media companies accountable, launching Teenspace — a free tele-mental health service that has already supported over 1,800 youth in seeking help from licensed professionals — or providing more services directly in schools, we will do everything we can to ensure our future leaders have the support they need to thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically."

The initiative comes at a time when youth mental health is a growing concern. A recent survey conducted by the NYC Department of Health found that nearly half of the city’s teens experience depressive symptoms, with 24% reporting that they needed or wanted mental health care in the past year but did not receive it. These figures underscore the urgent need for effective mental health support in schools.

Camille Joseph Varlack, Chief of Staff, emphasised the broader role schools play in students' lives: 

“Our schools aren’t just places where our children go to learn — they’re where they go to grow up, to find themselves, to make friends, and to have the support they need to get through whatever’s going on in their lives.

“With this new partnership, we’re making sure that our school nurses have the training they need to identify warning signs of suicide and get at-risk young people the help they need. It’s a part of our broader mission to promote youth mental health, inside and outside our schools.”

The training programme uses scenario-based learning and the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool to prepare nurses for real-life situations. It also covers common mental health challenges, when to mobilise a crisis team, and tips for managing the emotional toll that this work can take on healthcare providers.

David C. Banks, Schools Chancellor, expressed his support for the initiative, saying:

“Our schools are not only centers of learning, but safe havens where our young people can find trusted adults and support for whatever may be going on in their lives. Our school nurses are champions of students’ well-being, and they must be equipped to jump into action and help any student calling out for it.

“I’m so proud to be partnering with JED to bring this training to school nurses across the city as we continue the critical work of supporting the mental health of our students.”

The initiative is part of a larger effort by NYC Public Schools to provide comprehensive mental health support to students. Other resources include a network of 5,000 social workers and school counsellors, school-based mental health clinics, and partnerships with over 130 community-based mental health providers.

Tony Walker, JED’s Senior Vice President of Academic Programmes, highlighted the importance of the training, stating:

“School is where young people spend a great deal of their time, and nurses are frequently the first faces pre-K–12 students turn to for help when they’re hurting physically or emotionally. For this reason, JED is proud to partner with OSH and NYCPS to create a foundational training that will provide all school nurses in America's largest public school district with the knowledge they need to safeguard at-risk students and help prevent suicide.

“Through this comprehensive public health approach, we hope to empower school nurses to initiate potentially life-saving conversations and create healthier school communities — both in and out of the classroom.”

By the end of October, all 1,500 school nurses are expected to complete the training.