Suicide Prevention and Awareness Resources

As Maine schools get into the swing of the 2025-2026 school year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would like to share available resources to recognize, address, and support youth mental health.

Data from the 2023 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) shows that, among other outcomes, more than one in six Maine high school students reported seriously considering suicide in the past 12 months. Similar data is available for middle school students. A new infographic from MIYHS summarizes this data.

There are proven strategies that can support youth mental health and prevent suicide. Ensuring that students feel like they matter in their community, have a trusted adult they can talk to, and know that people at their school care about them can decrease the likelihood that a young person considers suicide or experiences other mental health challenges.

The Maine DOE and CDC have resources to support and assist school personnel in connecting with students. The graphics, resources, and materials included below are intended to help spread messages of hope, help, and strength throughout the year. Please consider sharing these materials and resources widely within your school and community networks.

Campaigns and Shareable Graphics

The Maine CDC is currently running the Filter Out the Noise youth suicide prevention campaign, designed to help young people recognize and remove negative influences or “noise” from their lives. It offers self-care tips, guidance on recognizing suicide warning signs, and encourages help-seeking behaviors. Visit the campaign website for more information or contact TSUP.DHHS@maine.gov for posters or other shareable videos, graphics, and content for social media from the Filter Out the Noise campaign.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit with free messaging, downloadable graphics, and videos designed for a variety of audiences including youth. These resources can be used throughout the year.
988 Maine has a variety of resources, and the 988 Lifeline is operational for anyone who calls. Additionally, although the 988 “Press 3” option for a direct line to LGBTQ+ youth support no longer exists, The Trevor Project provides 24/7, year-round, confidential, and free crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. To access this support, text “Start” to 678-678, call 1-866-488-7386, or click here.

Physical Resources and Materials

The Maine Prevention Store is a year-round, one-stop shop for free prevention-related resources. The site provides bookmarks, self-care cards, and other resources specific to suicide prevention and support after a suicide loss.
Training for school personnel on Suicide Prevention and Awareness Student Lessons will be available from the Maine DOE and partners later in the school year.
NAMI Maine (Maine’s affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers suicide awareness, prevention, intervention, and protocol training for school personnel throughout the year through a contract with the Maine CDC. Visit the NAMI Maine Events Calendar to learn more.

For more information to support suicide prevention and awareness, please contact Mary Caron of the Maine CDC Injury Prevention Program at mary.caron@maine.gov, or Maine DOE Health Education and Health Promotion Consultant Susan Berry at susan.berry@maine.gov, or Maine DOE Climate Culture Resilience Team Coordinator Bear Shea at w.bear.shea@maine.gov.

PRIORITY NOTICE: New Opioid Overdose Management Toolkit and Naloxone Education Course Available for Schools

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to announce the launch of a new, comprehensive Toolkit for Opioid Overdose Management and Naloxone Education in Schools, developed to support educators, school health personnel, and administrators in implementing effective overdose prevention strategies across the state’s school systems.

This resource includes evidence-based guidance on recognizing and managing an overdose, as well as educational materials to support those responsible for teaching overdose response in school settings. In addition to reviewing the Toolkit, educators can learn more about how to engage students in this critical topic by completing the Naloxone Education Course. This free, asynchronous, online course is designed to enhance educators’ knowledge and skills for delivering age-appropriate, accurate overdose prevention education.

This initiative reflects the Maine DOE’s continued commitment to student health, safety, and wellness by providing schools with the tools they need to address the ongoing opioid crisis in developmentally appropriate, evidence-based, and school-centered ways.

This toolkit was developed in alignment with LD 772, An Act To Permit Naloxone Possession, Prescription, Administration, and Distribution in Public and Private Schools and LD 1315, An Act to Require Public Schools to Offer Training for Secondary Students on the Administration of Naloxone Hydrochloride, which mandate the development of guidelines related to naloxone administration and education in schools and outline standards for classroom instruction. This initiative is consistent with broader efforts at both the state and national levels to expand access to life-saving interventions and to equip school communities with knowledge and resources to respond to emergencies.

About the Toolkit and Course
The Toolkit for Opioid Overdose Management and Naloxone Education in Schools includes:

Sample policies and procedures
Student training resources
Guidance on safe storage and administration of naloxone
Links to state-level technical assistance

The online Naloxone Education Course provides:

Flexible, asynchronous, online professional development
Scenario-based learning for responding to a suspected overdose
Instructions on the administration of nasal naloxone
Legal and ethical considerations for school staff

Implementation and Access
The Toolkit and Course are available to all schools statewide through the following links:

Opioid Overdose Management and Naloxone Education – Evidence-Based Guidelines for Maine Schools
Naloxone Education in Maine Schools Course (contact hours available)
- You will be prompted to log in or create a HealtheKnowledge account to access this course. Accounts (and this course) are free.
- You can also find this course by going directly to this link and then searching “Naloxone” under Search Available Courses.

Schools are encouraged to review these materials and integrate them into existing emergency preparedness, school health, and student support frameworks.

This initiative was made possible through a collaboration between the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports, Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health, and MaineGeneral Medical Center, as well as local educational and health partners.

Additional resources to support student and staff education, as well as policy development, can be found on the Maine DOE Coordinated School Health Emergency Care webpage.

For further information and questions, please contact Maine DOE School Nurse Specialist Tammy Diaz at tammy.diaz@maine.gov.

Support for SAUs in Adopting Seizure Action Plans to Protect the Health and Safety of Students

During the first session of the 132nd Maine Legislature, Resolve 2025, Chapter 72 was passed. This resolve directs the Maine Department of Education (DOE) to communicate to school administrative units (SAUs) and private schools the importance of adopting Seizure Action Plans. It also directs the Maine DOE to provide information and assistance, if requested.

Why This Matters
According to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, there were approximately 456,000 children under the age of 17 in the U.S. that had epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes seizures. Seizure Action Plans are personalized documents that outline how to recognize, respond to, and care for students experiencing seizures. They are critical tools for fostering safe learning environments for those with a known seizure disorder. Having staff trained in recognizing seizures and seizure first aid can increase the safety and health outcomes of those with known seizure disorders, as well as those who may have a seizure for the first time while at school. This effort aligns closely with the Maine DOE’s commitment to provide guidelines on the provision of school health services.

Guidance and Resources from the Maine DOE
To support schools in implementing Seizure Action Plans, the Maine DOE has compiled a suite of resources as part of its Chronic Conditions Management materials:

The Seizure and Epilepsy Resource Guide was developed for school health professionals and includes best practices and care protocols.
Additional resources are housed on the Guidelines for School Health Services: Chronic Conditions Management webpage.

How Schools Can Engage

Review the Maine DOE’s Seizure and Epilepsy Resource Guide and implement tailored action plans for students with a known diagnosis, using the sample Seizure Interview tool or a similar tool to inform individualized health plans.
Adopt protocols to ensure best practices in training, emergency response, and ongoing monitoring. Free, on-demand training is available through the Epilepsy Foundation for school personnel and school nurses to help them better care for students with seizure disorders.
Contact your School Nurse Regional Liaison for direct technical assistance, if desired:

Nick Oyler BSN, RN, NCSN nicholas.oyler@maine.gov 207-592-3536	Northern/Eastern: Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington
Angie Buker MSN, RN, NCSN angie.buker@maine.gov 207-215-5460	Central: Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo
Nicole Furlong MSN, RN, NCSN nicole.furlong@maine.gov 207-592-2518	Western: Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford
Lori Huot BSN, RN, NCSN lori.hout@maine.gov 207-530-0374	Southern: Cumberland, York

Through this targeted communication to support SAUs and private schools in adopting Seizure Action Plans and accessing existing training resources, the Maine DOE continues its commitment to ensuring student and school safety, health, and wellbeing. The Coordinated School Health Team within the Office of School and Student Supports stands ready to assist schools in measures that strengthen preparedness, empower educators and staff, and—most importantly—protect students who live with seizure disorders.

Please contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@Maine.gov with any questions.

New Guide on Best Practice Primary Prevention Resources and Lessons Available for Maine Health Educators

Maine health educators can now access the new Best Practice Primary Prevention Resources and Lessons for Health Educators Guide in the Maine Prevention Store. This product is available as a free digital download and contains linked information to primary prevention programs, as well as lessons about individual topic areas.

To access this resource, you must “add to cart” and provide some basic information, but there will be no charge.

The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) have partnered to create this repository of evidence-based resources and lessons to support health teachers in delivering current, accurate, and best practice primary prevention education for alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, and other substances. This is not an all-compassing list but rather a helpful start to supporting Maine’s health educators.

The Best Practice Primary Prevention Resources and Lessons for Health Educators Guide identifies the associated National Consensus for School Health Education standards that align with each resource. The information contained therein follows the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Strategic Prevention Framework and is intended to be integrated as a component of a robust health education curriculum.

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Tucker@Maine.gov or Susan.Berry@Maine.gov.

Maine DOE Staff Contribute to Journal of School Nursing

Maine Department of Education (DOE) School Nurse Consultant Emily Poland, MPH, RN, NCSN, and School Nurse Specialist Sarah DeCato, MSN, RN, NCSN, in collaboration with nurse colleagues across the nation, recently co-authored an article titled, “Exploring Innovative U.S. School Health Delivery Models: A Narrative Review”. This literature review identifies several different school health delivery models that exist today, as well as a need for continued research and growth in innovation to best meet the ever-evolving health needs of students.

This article will be published in the Journal of School Nursing in February of 2025, and it has already been published online.

This partnership was part of a larger project completed in 2023, when the Maine DOE commissioned an environmental scan and state assessment of school health services to gain a deeper understanding of the state of these services. The purpose of this project is to describe school health services, examine innovative models and infrastructures that facilitate Medicaid billing, and provide recommendations for a three- to five–year plan to strengthen school health services.

To complete this project, the Maine DOE contracted with the Center for School Health Innovation & Quality, which is housed in the Public Health National Center for Innovations, a nonprofit organization that is part of the Public Health Accreditation Board.

The environmental scan and summary sheet can be viewed here:

Maine DOE Highlights Expanding Health Resource Access to Multilingual Families in Maine

In alignment with supporting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, new tools have been created for school nurses. This newest project directly reflects the advocacy and care our Maine school nurses possess, further strengthening our public health infrastructure.

A sample welcome letter from the health office for any new family in a school community was created, which contains an annual health form and medication authorization form, as well as interview forms for asthma, diabetes, and seizures. These tools have been translated into Maine’s top nine languages and are now available on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Coordinated School Health webpage entitled Sample Forms.

School nurses are part of welcoming new families into our schools and communities; therefore, this spring, the Maine DOE school nurse regional liaison Lori Huot, BSN, RN, Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN) extended a warm invitation to the nurses she serves in Cumberland and York County to attend the monthly office hours hosted by the Maine DOE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Specialist Jane Armstrong. This multidisciplinary collaboration uncovered the need for more health-centered, culturally responsive, readily available, and translated tools to provide equity through language access, resulting in these updated resources.

The Maine DOE extends a special thank you to the Maine school nurses who participated in this collaboration.

Maine DOE’s Office of Innovation and the Office of School and Student Support collaborate to host monthly ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) office hours. These sessions are open to all school personnel and aim to provide optimal support for ESOL educators and guidance on assisting multilingual learners and their families.

Maine continues to embrace and enroll multilingual students and families statewide, witnessing a 15% increase in student count from 2023 to 2024. Jane Armstrong, State ESOL Specialist, highlights that roughly 63% of Maine’s 206 school administrative units have enrolled multilingual learners.

For the latest data, please visit the Multilingual Learner Data Dashboard.

The Office of School and Student Supports has many resources for school staff to improve school services. Guidelines and Resources for School Health Services center on providing culturally responsive, evidence-based care that improves overall health.

Contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@Maine.gov with any questions, comments, or needs.

Information and Recommendations Regarding the ‘School Health Advisor Role’ Defined in Maine Statue

Under Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6402-A, each school board shall appoint one or more physicians or family or pediatric nurse practitioners. Some of Maine’s medical providers and school health staff have requested clarification from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) about the law and the role of the school health advisor, which is defined under this law.

While each school administrative district is unique and will create a contract based on its needs, the Maine DOE Coordinated School Health team has collaborated with the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MAAP) School Health Committee and Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN) to create a new resource, Maine School Health Advisor Role Template. This document provides a framework and recommendations around Maine school health advisor roles and responsibilities. This template is intended to provide information about the Maine Law as it defines the roles and responsibilities of a school health advisor and offers guidance to the school administrator and school health advisor as they further define the role for their specific school district and student population.

Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behaviors. A strong partnership with a school health advisor can help create a healthy school environment.

For further information or questions, please get in touch with Maine DOE Coordinated School Health Staff at DOESchoolandStudentSupports@maine.gov . Questions and further information can also be found with the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MAAP) School Health Committee and the Maine Association of School Nurses .

Maine DOE Highlights Expanding Health Resource Access to Multilingual Families in Maine

The Maine DOE extends a special thank you to the Maine school nurses who participated in this collaboration.

For the latest data, please visit the Multilingual Learner Data Dashboard. The final ESOL office hours for School Year 2023-24 will be held on June 17, 2024, from 3:30-4:30pm and registration can be found here.

The Office of School and Student Supports has many resources for school staff to improve school services. Guidelines and Resources for School Health Services center on providing culturally responsive, evidence-based care that improves overall health.

Contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@Maine.gov with any questions, comments, or needs.

U.S. CDC Guidance for Preventing the Spread of Infections in Schools

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) recently released a press release highlighting Guidance for Preventing Spread of Infections in Schools to Keep Children Healthy and Learning. The full guidance, Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools, has been provided for consideration in the 2024 – 2025 school year on preventing the spread of infections in schools. US CDC is now providing this guidance to ensure it can be part of back-to-school preparations as plans for the new school year in the fall are being formulated.

The evidence-based strategies included in this guidance include:

Teach and reinforce proper hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
Improve ventilation in schools to promote cleaner air. Schools should consider ventilation enhancements and design when remodeling or constructing new buildings.
Clean, sanitize, and disinfect when appropriate.
Promote vaccinations for students and staff.

When staff or children become ill, there are additional strategies to slow the spread of infectious disease that schools can implement, including:

Have staff and students stay home when they are sick. The guidance makes clear what specific symptoms necessitate staying home.
When applicable, use personal protective equipment (PPE) for school staff caring for sick children.
Hand washing, respiratory etiquette, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting remain important.

The new guidance recommends updating school emergency operation plans, including infectious disease sections, and establishing and maintaining key partnerships with health departments, local medical systems, and other community health providers. It also complements the recently released CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance. These documents intend to support schools in developing and implementing evidence-based action plans to maintain healthy and safe school environments.

Additional Resources:

Maine CDC has additional free resources on infectious disease prevention that schools can order or download. For more information about airborne and direct-contact diseases, visit the Maine CDC website.

Mt. Blue Nurse Team Boosts School Health and Safety with CPR/AED Training for Educators

(The Mt. Blue School Nurse team.)

As the state of emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic gradually quelled, the Mt Blue Regional School District nurse team could finally catch their breath and refocus on the projects they had put on hold amidst the crisis.

“As COVID was winding down and we were getting back into our normal routines, it was hard to believe it was really over. We had been living with these high-stress levels for so long that it took a while to adjust mentally to our pre-COVID routines.” Janneke Strickland, BSN, RN, NCSN, RSU 9 Lead Nurse and Cascade Brook School nurse in Farmington, remembers, “But once things settled, it felt good to have time to devote energy to newer projects.”

One of those projects was a concerted effort to increase the number of district staff members certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillator (CPR/AED). This endeavor, conceived as a group initiative for the 21/22 school year, resonated deeply with the nurses, who were driven by a shared commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of their school community.

The team started by conducting polls in each Mt. Blue school building. The results painted a stark picture: a mere four to five percent of staff were certified in CPR/AED in each location. Undeterred by the challenge, the Mt. Blue Nurse team set their sights on an ambitious target – to ensure that at least 10% of staff were CPR/AED trained by the end of 2023.

A nurse practices CPR on a CPR manikin. — A Mt. Blue school nurse works on one of the CPR manikins purchased through Newhouse.

With their objectives clear, the nurse team strategically formulated a budget request for the 22/23 school year. This proposal encompassed provisions for CPR training kits and an AED trainer, essential tools needed to equip staff with life-saving skills.

Taking charge of the initiative, Kathryn Clement, a dedicated member of the nurse team and a Nationally Certified School Nurse, spearheaded efforts to explore avenues for Mt. Blue nurses to become certified as Basic life-saving instructors. “Over the summer, the majority of Mt. Blue nurses and some other Maine School nurses trained with Angie Newhouse of Newhouse Training,” explained Clement. “There were lots of moving pieces and a collaborative effort to provide training to our staff.” Through Newhouse, they also found and purchased the feedback CPR manikins they need to train educators.

Next, leveraging the support of the Mt. Blue administration, the nurse team forged a partnership with Franklin County Adult and Community Education. Through the Harold Alfond grant funding coordinated by their Adult Ed partner, the nurses were able to extend CPR/AED classes to staff members at no cost, eliminating barriers to participation.

As the prospect of teaching classes loomed, a few nurses grappled with apprehension. “The apprehension came from being new to teaching BLS and working with larger groups,” explained Strickland, “Usually, nurses teach one-on-one with students or families, so we aren’t used to teaching large groups.”

However, the Mt. Blue Nurse team rallied together, opting to co-teach sessions, honing their skills and fostering confidence. Gradually, their trepidation gave way to assurance, buoyed by the team’s collective expertise. By the end of the school year, Mt. Blue’s nurses not only met their target of 10% CPR/AED certification among staff but surpassed it, with 15% of staff becoming CPR/AED certified. Thanks to this team of dedicated educators, Mt. Blue was safer than ever.

“We have so many tools at our disposal, like defibrillators, out in the public, and it is nice to know our staff now know how to use them,” says Clement. “Now, more people in the public are comfortable administering

From the National Association of School Nurses

emergency response care.”

However, the Mt. Blue nurse team knew their mission for safer schools was far from over. Buoyed by the success of their endeavors, the nurses continue to offer classes to staff members, spurred by an overwhelming interest from the community. Their commitment to the well-being of the Mt. Blue community remains unwavering, underscoring the pivotal role nurses have in nurturing a culture of safety and preparedness within schools.

“School nurses occupy a unique space where education and healthcare converge. There are myriad aspects to this special type of nursing!” says Strickland. “Under guidance from the School Nursing Practice Framework (NASN, 2024) and the Maine

DOE, we strive to collaborate with families, school staff, administration, and the wider community to support the health and safety of our students. This approach, as research demonstrates, leads to improved academic achievement.”

School nurses are the backbone of our schools, keeping students healthy and safe. They deserve to be celebrated every day, but especially today on National School Nurse Day. Celebrate National School Nurse Day today by taking time to thank the school nurses in your community.