Our Mission
To prevent suicide and promote recognition of adolescent depression through education and alliances with community partners.
What Does SPEA Do?
Suicide is often preventable. Its causes are treatable. Friends are the first line of defense in preventing suicide among teens. Since December 2000 SPEA has delivered its proven program, Recognizing Teen Depression and Preventing Suicide, to over 92,000 students in 116 Northeast Ohio high schools. Students learn how to identify depression in themselves or their friends; to recognize the warning signs of suicide; and how to get help. Our objective is to cause at-risk students to seek and receive treatment from a mental health professional. Evidence-based research proves our program’s success. SPEA’s program saves teen lives and helps young people to live healthy, productive lives.
In addition, SPEA has trained more than 5,000 physicians, school counselors, social workers, nurses, clergy, teachers, home health aides, law enforcement officers and parents in recognizing adolescent depression and suicide prevention.