Insights From the JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative Virtual Summit 2025

“Educators can take the first step in suicide prevention.” 

That was Dr. Shashank Joshi’s message to a group of education leaders from across the country at a virtual summit for participants in the JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative. A professor of psychiatry, pediatrics, and education at Stanford University and an advisory board member for The Jed Foundation (JED), Dr. Joshi went on to explain how educators can intervene if a student is in distress. 

The May 6 virtual summit featured keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and collaborative breakout sessions designed to strengthen districtwide mental health approaches. Participants engaged on a range of topics, including how to leverage local partnerships and involve students in decision-making. The summit also provided district leaders with meaningful opportunities for networking and resource sharing.

Proactive Approaches to Student Mental Health: Insights From Dr. Shashank Joshi

Dr. Joshi’s presentation, Strengthening Early Intervention and Prevention: Proactive Approaches to Student Mental Health, offered district leaders specific strategies for preventing suicide through thoughtful policies and protocols. He framed the conversation around a compelling case study of a 15-year-old student who displayed warning signs at both home and school. 

He explained that crises can be triggered by stressful events, often with an underlying mood or other psychiatric disorder and exacerbated by intoxication or substance use. They typically last about 30 minutes. During that crucial time, educators can intervene — interrupting a student who may think a temporary problem requires a permanent solution.

Dr. Joshi instructed educators to ask students directly about their mood, stress levels, and coping strategies. If students aren’t ready to talk, educators can take a student’s emotional temperature by asking how distressed they are feeling on a scale of 1 to 10. 

When indicated, educators can ask questions about thoughts of suicide — a conversation that, contrary to common misconceptions, does not increase risk and may open the door to lifesaving support. In particular, Dr. Joshi pointed to two protocols that educators can follow to assess suicide risk. Both protocols require a brief training and involve asking students only a few questions.

• Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
• ASQ Suicide Screening Questionnaire

Dr. Joshi also introduced the Stanley-Brown Safety Plan, which students can use to list coping strategies and social supports for when they are experiencing self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The plan is available in paper form, as well as through iOS and Android apps. 

Building Protective Factors at the District Level

Dr. Joshi also highlighted actionable strategies for fostering protective factors across school communities.

• Family connectedness: Approach family involvement with respect to a family’s values. Have an attitude of humility by knowing what you don’t know. Remember that each child’s family has a unique perspective about help-seeking. 
• School climate: Create supportive school environments in which students have prosocial peer connections, experience a sense of belonging, and can identify trusted adults.
• Social support networks: Develop opportunities for students to engage in supportive social environments, including sports teams and clubs, that foster meaningful connections.
• Physical and spiritual well-being: Promote quality sleep (through policies such as later school start times), physical activity, and respect for students’ religious or spiritual beliefs that may discourage self-harm.

The virtual summit exemplified JED and AASA’s commitment to equipping education leaders with evidence-based strategies that protect student emotional health and prevent suicide. By bringing together experts like Dr. Joshi and dedicated district leaders, we continue to build a nationwide network of schools prepared to support student mental health with compassion and effectiveness.

Learn how your district can join the JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative.