In connection with National Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, Northern Virginia regional partners recently hosted an intensive, four-day training to help build more networks of suicide prevention and mental health wellness for young people across Virginia.
The four-day training was held Thursday, September 4 through Sunday, September 7 at the George Mason University Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH) by Claude Moore Opportunities, George Mason CCMH, the ConnerStrong Foundation, and Sources of Strength. The program is part of Claude Moore’s ongoing work to expand the youth mental health workforce and the availability of youth mental health resources.
Over four days, approximately thirty trainees from across Virginia participated in a “train-the-trainer” session for “Sources of Strength,” a nationally renowned, evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health promotion program that utilizes both adult and peer leaders to build strength, increase protective factors, and improve mental health for both individuals and across youth populations such as school communities.
These trainees, which included Claude Moore-sponsored AmeriCorps members, Serve Virginia members, trainees from community non-profit partners including the Loudoun County-based Ryan Bartel Foundation, and additional George Mason students, will continue working toward certification to establish Sources of Strength programs within schools or community organizations throughout Virginia.
Topics and modules across the four-day event included trainings for adult advisors and peer leaders, roleplaying and simulation, facilitating dialogue among young people, and unique considerations for working with young people and populations.
“We know that Virginia has a significant need for more trained and certified youth mental health professionals who can provide the kinds of services that help young people thrive even in challenging times,” said Dr. Bill Hazel, CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities and former Virginia Secretary of Health. “This training is going to have a real multiplier effect as adult advisors and peer leaders implement Sources of Strength in their own schools and organizations with the ultimate goal of helping Virginia’s youth grow, thrive, and reach out for help when they need it.”
“It was a pleasure to host this training, consistent with our mission of training the next generation of behavioral health providers,” said Dr. Robyn Mehlenbeck, Director of the GMU Center for Community Mental Health. “Watching our students and all the trainees respond with such a passion for learning and for helping youth across Virginia was amazing. They are fired up to bring this program to the middle and high schools in our communities.”
“ConnerStrong is extremely grateful to our partners at GMU CCMH and Claude Moore Opportunities for believing in our mission and helping us make a significant impact in the mental health of the youth in our community,” said Tom Worosz, President and Founder of the ConnerStrong Foundation. “We are so excited for these SOS program participants to take all of the wonderful knowledge and experience they gained here and put it to great use in our schools. Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to making this training such a success and we look forward to working more with you in this journey.”
“The Sources of Strength training offered new insight on how to approach supporting individuals, and I will carry all lessons learned from this training in my future,” said Camila M., a student at George Mason with Virginia’s Youth Mental Health Corps. “The training was extremely helpful!”
“I was able to gain an incredible amount of knowledge thanks to the Sources of Strength training,” said AmeriCorps member Maria L. “! I learned the importance of implementing a hopeful approach to suicide prevention. I am grateful for the opportunity to spread positivity to my community.”
“The Sources of Strength training opened up many different ways of approaching and meeting the needs of our teens, said Shelby L., a George Mason student and AmeriCorps member. “I am excited to be able to connect with our teens and trusted adults to facilitate connection and support within our community!”
If you or someone in your life is struggling and needs help, please contact 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Support is free, anonymous, and confidential.
About the Partners:
Claude Moore Opportunities
Launched in 2024, Claude Moore Opportunities is Virginia’s leading healthcare workforce nonprofit organization which raises and distributes philanthropic funds to support regional and collaborative efforts to expand Virginia’s healthcare workforce and create family-sustaining career opportunities. For more information visit: https://cm-opportunities.org/.
ConnerStrong
ConnerStrong Foundation works to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention and to change the discussion about mental health, especially in our teens and young adults. The foundation also provides outreach and comfort to the families and communities affected by mental health and suicide. It is named in honor of Conner Worosz and led by his father, President and Founder Tom Worosz. For more information visit: http://connerstrongfoundation.org.
George Mason University Center for Community Mental Health
CCMH trains the next generation of behavioral health providers while providing critical affordable and accessible mental health services to children through adults in our community. Free emotional support lines and low cost or free treatment are available to all in our community. For more information visit: https://ccmh.gmu.edu/.
Sources of Strength
Sources of Strength is a best practice, strength-based, upstream suicide prevention and mental health promotion program that has shown effectiveness in both preventative upstream and intervention outcomes. It fosters health and wellness, empowering both students and adults to build communities of belonging and connection. For more information visit: https://sourcesofstrength.org/.
