Students at Braden Middle School find their Sources of Strength! Championed by School Counselor, Shannon Riley, students at Braden Middle School have been engaging in Sources of Strength, an evidence-based practice that promotes youth mental health. Sources of Strength harnesses the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing well-being, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging. Sources of Strength uses an “upstream” approach for youth suicide prevention by strengthening multiple sources of support and protective factors for young people, so that when times get hard, they have strengths to rely on.

The Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board recently supported Ms. Riley and the Braden Middle School students by purchasing some promotional items and t-shirts for the students so they can show the whole school how they have been finding their Sources of Strength!

Do you want to know how your school can get involved and start on a Sources of Strength journey? Contact us at the MHRS Board! 440-992-3121