40 peer leaders represented their home schools of Cherokee Bluff High School, Flowery Branch High School, and Lanier College and Career Academy for a full day of training around the topic of mental health at Eagle Ranch in Flowery Branch.
Students left with many resources in their tool-belt from three evidence-based entities: QPR, Teen Mental Health First Aid, and Sources of Strength.
Adam Raulerson, Business Development Manager for Laurelwood Behavioral Health, provided QPR training to the students. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer and is a three-step method to help prevent suicide. This evidence-based program assists those trained to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope and save lives.
Hall County Student Services Staff integrated portions of Teen Mental Health First Aid into the time spent at Eagle Ranch. Students left with a better understanding of mental health and when to seek help for themselves or a friend.
In preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, participants also had the opportunity to plan a Sources of Strength campaign for their respective schools centered on Mental Health and Wellness. Sources of Strength is a strength-based, comprehensive wellness program that focuses on suicide prevention while impacting many other issues that face communities.
The Eagle Ranch event is funded by Project Aware of Hall County, a 5-year grant that was awarded to Hall County Schools to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth. Project Aware provides training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues. Additionally, it connects school-aged youth who may have behavioral health issues with the support they need.
