Bringing Sources of Strength to Twin Cities Area High Schools

By By Deb Cavitt, MACMH Manager of Advocacy and Education

The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health has teamed up with several Twin Cities school districts to bring Sources of Strength, an upstream suicide prevention program, into their high schools. With funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Mental Health Awareness Training grant, MACMH has brought together diverse groups of students and adult advisors to spread messages of “Hope, Help, and Strength” into classrooms and hallways.

What Is Upstream Prevention?

Upstream prevention focuses on addressing concerns before they become crises by building a strong network of support for everyone in the school community. Through year-long, strength-based campaigns, peer leaders and adult advisors work together to break the silence when classmates are struggling and help connect them to the support they need and deserve.

Rather than focusing on trauma, the Sources of Strength model builds a culture of wellness by promoting resilience, sharing resources, and encouraging students to use tools that help them get through tough times.

The Strengths Wheel

The Sources of Strength logo is a colorful wheel that highlights eight strengths students can turn to during difficult moments: Family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, physical health, and mental health.

Students plan campaigns around these strengths, sharing messages through music, art, writing, fun activities, and social media to build connection and community.

Trusted Adults and Peer Leaders

Adult advisors are chosen for their ability to be trusted, approachable adults, who students feel comfortable turning to when they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Peer leaders are trained to be empathetic friends who help connect their peers to trusted adults when they notice someone is struggling.

The message is simple but powerful: seeking help is a sign of strength. No one should have to struggle in silence or carry the burden alone. When it comes to concerns about self-harm or suicidal thoughts, involving a trusted adult can make all the difference.