What is Staff Training?
All staff need to be prepared to be a trusted adult and ally.
Erika's Lighthouse Staff Training equips every school employee — regardless of role — with the knowledge and skills to recognize signs of depression and suicide risk, act as a trusted adult, and respond confidently to a student mental health crisis. Every staff member plays a vital role in supporting student mental health.
Erika's Lighthouse Staff Training consists of three expertly designed modules covering these core topics:
- Signs and symptoms of depression and suicide
- Being a trusted adult and supporting a student
- Crisis intervention
How long does the training take? Each module takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete, making it easy to fit into a staff professional development day or complete independently in under an hour.
The training is available in two formats:- Individual Training: Staff members complete the modules independently at their own pace.
- Group Training: Schools can host a facilitated session using Erika's Lighthouse's ready-to-use materials.
Do staff receive a certificate? Yes. Staff members who complete all lessons and pass the accompanying quizzes receive a Certificate of Completion, which can be used to document fulfillment of annual suicide prevention training requirements.
Erika's Lighthouse Staff Training has been officially approved by multiple state Departments of Education and Boards of Education (BOEs) to fulfill mandatory annual staff suicide prevention training requirements. For a current list of approved states, visit the Policy & Staff Training page. Because approvals are updated regularly, check with your state or district to confirm your current status.
Create your free account to access all Staff Training resources — including modules, facilitation guides, and certificates — and start making a difference in student mental health today.