Page 6 | The Jed Foundation

National & Local Media Coverage on JED’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Training Available to Arizona School Mental Health Professionals

Posted on October 6, 2025October 8, 2025 by Meghan Nelligan

Find local and national news coverage on this initiative, helping to equip pre-K-12 school-based nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists with an evidence-based suicide prevention training course.

Philanthropy News Digest: Arizona Department of Education enters partnership to combat teen suicide
13 News: Arizona Department of Education enters partnership to combat teen suicide
The Gila Herald: Arizona Department of Education partners with nonprofit The Jed Foundation to combat teen suicide
KFYI-AM: Arizona Department of Education and The Jed Foundation
KVOA-TV: Preventing Teen Suicide

ABC 15 Arizona: Suicide Prevention Training

AZFamily | 3TV & CBS 5 News | Phoenix, Arizona: Suicide Prevention Resources in Schools
AZ Free News: Horne Announces New Partnership To Expand Suicide Prevention Training In Schools
NBC News Now: NYC Nurses are being trained in suicide prevention

Postvention: An important tool for preventing suicide contagion

Posted on October 1, 2025October 3, 2025 by Meghan Nelligan

Impact Next: An interview with The Jed Foundation’s John MacPhee

Posted on October 1, 2025October 2, 2025 by Meghan Nelligan

School Mental Health Professionals Across Arizona to Participate in Suicide Prevention Online Training Course Through Arizona Department of Education and The Jed Foundation

Posted on October 1, 2025October 2, 2025 by Morgan Rich

The initiative will help equip pre-k-12 school-based nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists in identifying, screening, and referring to young people experiencing mental health challenges.

[October 1, 2025] – Phoenix, Arizona & New York, New York] – The Arizona Department of Education (ADE), a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes for students and empowering parents, announced today a multi-year partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens and young adults nationwide. ADE and JED launched an online training course to help Arizona school mental health professionals better identify, screen, and refer students who may be at risk for suicide. This initiative will equip school-based mental health professionals statewide, including nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists, with an evidence-informed suicide prevention training course.

“Across student age groups, suicide is one of the leading causes of death,” said Tom Horne, the Arizona Department of Education’s superintendent of public instruction. “It is imperative that our mental health professionals are provided with the latest information to help recognize, and the best practices to respond to the warning signs that may help families avert these devastating tragedies.”

The two-hour course, Suicide Prevention for Arizona School Mental Health Professionals, will train participants to:

Identify signs of self-injury and crisis, including signs of suicidal thoughts or intense emotional distress.
Understand the role of suicide risk screening in a comprehensive prevention approach and learn how to administer screening tools.
Take action when a student is in crisis by engaging the support team, ensuring immediate safety, and documenting and following school protocols (or helping to establish protocols, when needed).

“School-based mental health supports are critical to student well-being, stronger academic outcomes, and preparing young people for the workforce and future opportunities,” said Dr. Tony Walker, senior vice president of school programs and consulting at JED. “We’re proud to partner with ADE and help to ensure Arizona’s school-based mental health professionals are prepared and confident to identify warning signs, act quickly in a crisis, and connect students to the right support so they can thrive in school and in life.”

Nearly 1 in 4 Arizona high school students seriously consider attempting suicide each year, and 10% make an attempt. ADE partnered with JED to develop a customized training initiative tailored to Arizona’s policies, staffing structures, and cultural and educational contexts.

“As a school mental health professional and school safety trainer, I found this training to be well-designed and easy to navigate,” said Dr. Stacy Anderson, school psychologist at Paradise Valley Unified School District and social media co-chair of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists, where she served as president from 2022-2023. “The content clearly highlights the key objectives with current best practices. The activities and graphics are engaging, while the resources are useful to those who take this course.”

Arizona’s new training builds on JED’s nationally available online course, Suicide Prevention for School Nurses, originally co-developed with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Office of School Health. To date, more than 1,600 school nurses completed the Suicide Prevention for School Nurses course training in New York City.

JED’s specialized training courses are designed to help schools and communities promote student emotional well-being and prevent suicide. Please visit JED’s website for more information on mental health education and training.

Media interviews are available upon request with representatives from JED, the Arizona Department of Education, and a school-based mental health professional.

###

About Arizona Department of Education
The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization, committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents. It is led by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, an elected constitutional officer for the State of Arizona.

About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools, colleges, and school districts to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Media Contact

Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
914-844-4611

Doug Nick
Communications Director
Arizona Department of Education
602-364-2347

CCP Implements JED Campus Collaborative for Student Parents Recommendation

Posted on September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 by Morgan Rich

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 30, 2025

Contact:
Antwon R. Martin
armartin@ccp.edu
267.666.7881

Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks joins CCP for grand opening of Roary’s Cubhouse family study room
Roary’s Cubhouse, named after CCP’s lion mascot, Roary, is a place for student parents/caregivers to study while their children play

PHILADELPHIA – Community College of Philadelphia celebrated the opening of a new family study room for students with children today. Leadership of the College and partner organizations were joined by Philadelphia City Councilmember and CCP alum Kendra Brooks for the unveiling of Roary’s Cubhouse, named for CCP’s lion mascot, Roary. The event took place outside the new family study room in the Library and Learning Commons on the College’s Main Campus.

Research shows over three million undergraduates, or 18% of the student population in the United States, are student parents—and they are largely understudied and underserved.

“Roary’s Cubhouse is a milestone in our commitment to our student parents and caregivers,” said CCP interim president Dr. Marshall. “The new family study space will empower students who have children to continue working toward their academic and career goals while balancing their education with parenting. We created this space to bring you ease, joy, and connection—for students and their young ones.”

During the grand opening event, attendees heard from Councilmember Kendra Brooks; Dr. Alycia Marshall, interim president of CCP; Aisha Folkes, director of strategic education initiatives at The Jed Foundation; Melissa Fogg, executive director of Student Support at CCP; and Quianna Footman, student and parent at CCP.

“When I first started at CCP, I was juggling school, work, and parenting,” said Councilmember Brooks. “Roary’s Cubhouse would have made a big difference for me and my daughter. It’s a safe, welcoming space on campus, and it sends a clear message to parenting students and their children: You belong here. We see you, and we support you.”

Roary’s Cubhouse will be a welcoming environment for students who are parents/caregivers to study while their children play in the same room. The space will include study materials, desks, and computers for students and toys, games, child-safe furniture, and more for children.

“Our research shows that student parents often don’t feel a true sense of belonging on campus, and can even feel unseen. Belonging is a powerful protective factor for mental health and the reason why JED recommends designated spaces—such as Roary’s Cubhouse—that meet the specific needs of this sometimes-overlooked population,” said Aisha Folkes, JED’s director for strategic education initiatives who has worked with Community College of Philadelphia as a participant in the JED Campus Collaborative for Student Parents. “Roary’s Cubhouse is a wonderful example of a family-friendly space serving as a creative solution for parents who need to bring their children to campus to continue their education. Parenting students at CCP no longer have to choose between study time and caregiving responsibilities. Seeing one of JED’s recommendations come to life demonstrates how impactful our collaboration is and we’re proud to continue to support CCP in prioritizing the needs of all students.”

CCP is one of 10 schools in the JED Campus Collaborative for Student Parents, a mental health collaborative designed to enable community colleges to better support students who are parents. Each school in the learning community receives a student parent action plan with recommendations, selects at least two interventions, receives technical assistance, and a $5,000 subgrant towards implementation which is generously supported by ECMC Foundation. CCP identified “designated family friendly areas” as one of their interventions and used the funding given toward bringing Roary’s Clubhouse to life.

Students can reserve Roary’s Cubhouse starting today.

###

About Community College of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 50 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 700,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College’s degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
914-844-4611

Meet the 2025 JED Texas Youth Advocacy Coalition Fellows

Posted on September 30, 2025January 13, 2026 by Jessie Assimon

The Jed Foundation (JED) is proud to announce the 2025 Texas Youth Advocacy Coalition Fellowship Cohort in partnership with the Trellis Foundation, a grant-making public charitable organization focused on improving postsecondary attainment for low-income students and students of color in Texas. This six-week paid fellowship offers Texas-based students a curriculum that will arm them with the knowledge, skills and expert thought partnership to lead mental health advocacy efforts at local, state, and federal levels.

Here are our 2025 fellows:

Juan Garcia Jr. – A fourth-year Public Health student at Tarleton State University and aspiring epidemiologist, Juan is eager to support youth mental health through advocacy and community outreach. As a public health major, Juan’s past research has focused on the intersection of mental health and provider access in Texas. Fun fact: Juan enjoys writing poetry and playing the piano.

Ivanna Sintes-Klein – A third-year Health Promotion and Behavioral Science student at UT Austin, Ivanna minors in Health Communications, Educational Psychology, and Spanish. She will collaborate with student advocates to develop and implement mental health advocacy plans through education, media, policy, and storytelling. Fun fact: Ivanna founded the first student-led mental health advocacy organization at her previous college, Bobcat C.A.R.E. Mental Health Advocates.

Rachel Davis – A fourth-year psychology student at Texas A&M University Central Texas, Rachel brings leadership experience in kids’ programming and mentoring. She’ll work with other JED Fellows to create strategic plans that promote awareness, support, and positive change in Texas communities. Fun fact: Rachel loves cooking, hiking, spending time with her beagle, and diving into a good mystery novel.

Rohan Satija – A freshman at UT Austin studying psychology on the pre-med track, Rohan is the CEO of the nonprofit Let’s Learn Foundation, which provides books, school supplies, and mental health resources to under-resourced students. At JED, he’ll be trained in advocacy and outreach to help make schools and communities safer. Fun fact: Rohan was born and raised in New Zealand and holds a black belt in Taekwondo!

Learn more about the JED National Mental Health Youth Advocacy Coalition Internship Program or read about its inaugural event.

Photo at top, clockwise from top left: Juan Garcia, Jr., Ivanna Sintes-Klein, Rachel Davis, and Rohan Satija.

Healthcare marketers need to step into the growing world of AI and mental health

Posted on September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by Meghan Nelligan

Beth’s Story: Pretending I Was ‘Fine’ When I Wasn’t

Posted on September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by Jessie Assimon

You can’t always tell who needs help.

Sometimes you just see a kid glued to their phone. Or a student who’s always “fine.” Or another school counselor responsible for hundreds of students.

Most young people don’t lose hope all at once. They might drift and then slowly shut down. Many excel at keeping things beneath the surface.

Beth was one of those young people. She was in middle school when she started struggling with anxiety, depression, and self-injury.

“I got really good at hiding things. I thought I was just going to figure it out on my own,” says Beth, 18.

But she didn’t. Searching for answers online, Beth came across JED.

“One of the biggest things JED gave me was the feeling that I had support,” she says. “They made me feel a lot less isolated and alone.”

That’s what makes your support so important. Together, we help young people and families access lifesaving resources, and help schools and communities build suicide prevention plans that don’t just react — but protect and nurture.

“If sharing my story can help one person understand that they’re not alone, that they can get help, I think that’s worth it for me,” says Beth.

For too long, young people were left alone to navigate rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide, while schools navigated a patchwork of systems and solutions.

That’s why at JED we knew we had to build something different: A model that brings schools, families, and communities together, that prepares trusted adults to support young people effectively, and gives young people the tools to help themselves and each other.

When schools partner with JED, it means that a school counselor isn’t left alone to do the work of an entire mental health team. That a student gets the chance to feel understood. That a teacher knows what to say. That a life is saved.

Beth is here today because she found JED at the right moment. Because she discovered that she didn’t have to figure it out all on her own.

Beth just started her first year in college. She’s thinking about majoring in psychology.

She’s getting the help she needs. Now she wants to help others do the same. That’s how change begins. With your support, we’re able to help more young people like Beth.

Beth is now a freshman in college.

The Jed Foundation and America’s Promise Alliance Announce Institute for Youth Mental Health to Support Emotional Well-Being Supports in Community-Based Organizations

Posted on September 25, 2025September 25, 2025 by Erika Hill

Fifteen leading nonprofits join inaugural cohort to advance mental health support and suicide prevention for more than 1.8 million youth

[September 25, 2025, New York City] — The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, and America’s Promise Alliance (APA), a community of more than 150 youth-serving nonprofits, today announce the launch of the Institute for Youth Mental Health. This bold new initiative will enable the nation’s leading community-based organizations (CBOs) to strengthen their mental health strategies and help prevent suicide among the youth they serve.

This initiative marks a significant step toward embedding supports into the places where teens and young adults already spend their time, hold trusting relationships, and feel a sense of safety and belonging. Grounded in JED’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for Community-Based Organizations, the Institute works with a cohort of APA member organizations over a period of 18 months, providing content knowledge, expert training, assessment tools, strategic planning, and implementation support to ensure mental health and suicide prevention strategies are integrated into their day-to-day programming.

The Institute builds on JED’s decades of work with colleges, high schools, and school districts, adapting proven, systemwide strategies to meet the unique needs and opportunities of CBOs. By enabling participating organizations to identify and respond to emerging youth mental health needs, implement comprehensive prevention strategies, and establish stronger pathways for referral and care, the Institute aims to create a replicable model that can be scaled across APA’s full membership and, eventually, the broader nonprofit sector.

“At JED, we believe that weaving mental health support into youth-serving institutions is one of the most powerful ways to prevent crises before they happen,” said John MacPhee, JED CEO. “Through the Institute, we’re equipping organizations with the tools, training, and strategic guidance they need to meet young people where they are with care, intention, and data-driven practices.”

APA’s national network reaches more than 31 million young people through over 150 leading nonprofit organizations working in K-12 education, postsecondary-to-workforce pathways, and civic engagement. Through this partnership, 15 APA member organizations, collectively serving more than 1.8 million youth, have joined the inaugural cohort convening this fall.

“We’ve heard from countless leaders across our network of youth-serving nonprofits that for many of their frontline staff, providing mental health support inevitably becomes part of the job,” shares Mike O’Brien, CEO of APA. “Given their proximity to young people — and the reality that they are often called upon, day or night, to help youth navigate urgent needs, typically under significant resource constraints — community-based leaders represent a deeply trusted, yet deeply under-resourced network of care and support.”

This fall’s Institute for Youth Mental Health cohort includes:

“Participating in this Institute for Youth Mental Health program offers us a community of practice with other organizations who are deeply committed to improving the lives of youth,” said Terri Sorensen, CEO of Friends of the Children — National. “Connection to this community affords Friends of the Children the opportunity to embed new strategies within our organization to promote mental health for the youth we serve. We see this program as a way to make our mental health outcomes for youth even better.”

This initiative is supported in part by The Goodness Web and Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation.

For more information about the Institute for Youth Mental Health, click here.

To learn more about JED’s support for community-based organizations visit our website.

Upon request by the media, interviews are available with Mike O’Brien, CEO of APA, John MacPhee, CEO of JED, Dr. Katie Hurley, Senior Director, Clinical Advising and Community Programming of JED, and a participating CBO.

###

About America’s Promise Alliance (APA)
Since its founding more than 25 years ago, America’s Promise Alliance has mobilized the youth-serving sector to achieve progress around large, shared goals, including high school graduation, national service, and youth employment. A national community of more than 150 nonprofits that collectively reach over 31 million young people annually, the Alliance offers leadership development, knowledge sharing, and capacity building programming alongside national research and Collective Action initiatives that make it possible to tackle challenges that are too large or too complex for any one organization to address on its own.

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
914-844-4611
justin@jedfoundation.org

Lindsey Seltzer
Vice President, Communications
America’s Promise Alliance
202-674-9836
LindseyS@AmericasPromise.org