The JED High School Journey
Partnering with High Schools to Support Emotional Well-being and Prevent Suicide
JED High School is a public health, systematic approach that helps districts/schools to assess and strengthen their policies, programs, and systems to equitably support emotional well-being and suicide prevention for all students. JED High School is an adaptation of JED Campus.
JED High School is an 18 to 24-month program designed to help districts/schools assess and enhance their efforts in the following key areas: developing life skills, promoting social connectedness and positive school climate, increasing help-seeking behaviors, recognizing and responding to students at risk, promoting well-being and access to mental health services, following crisis management procedures, and creating a safe environment.
Get a glimpse into the JED High School journey below.
Team Building, Assessment, and Strategic Planning
The journey starts by building an interdisciplinary team whose members represent the entire high school community. Next, each school completes a student survey and the JED High School Baseline Assessment. After reviewing this data, members of the JED High School team provide the school or district with a comprehensive feedback report and conduct a site visit, during which the school’s interdisciplinary team and the JED High School team review data and collaborate to initiate the creation of a strategic plan.
Implementation, Support, and Post-Evaluation
The journey continues as a dedicated JED High School Advisor provides each school/district with a completed strategic plan and provides ongoing technical assistance and support to the school/district as it makes progress toward its plan objectives. The JED High School Advisor tracks progress, helps the school/district identify needed programs, policies, and resources, and coordinates a post-evaluation at the end of the year. The school/district also joins the larger JED High School Learning Community and receives support in the form of newsletters, webinars, and a listserv.
Sustainability and Partnership
At the end of its two-year journey, each JED High School/District receives a comprehensive, final report on progress made and next steps. The school/district remains a valued partner in our JED High School national Learning Community, with ongoing access to our library of resources and participation in virtual and in-person convenings and conversations.