Community Suicide Prevention Program (CSPP)

Program Overview

The Mandy Foundation Community Suicide Prevention Program (TMF-CSPP) is our flagship education and training program designed to equip individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent suicide.

TMF-CSPP provides accessible, evidence-based suicide prevention education that helps participants recognize warning signs, engage in supportive and compassionate conversations, reduce stigma, and connect people to appropriate help and resources. The program emphasizes that suicide prevention is a shared community responsibility—not limited to clinicians or crisis responders.

The program is offered free or low-cost through community partnerships and can be delivered in person or virtually.

Program Cost & Access

TMF-CSPP is offered through a sliding-scale fee structure. Fees vary based on organization type, audience size, and program length. Free or reduced-cost trainings may be available for community groups with limited resources.

Revenue from paid trainings supports TMF’s mission and allows us to continue offering free community education.

Who This Program Is For

CSPP is designed for adults (18+) and is appropriate for:

• Community members and families
• Educators and school staff
• Faith leaders
• Nonprofit and community organization staff
• Volunteers and peer supporters
• Employers and workplace teams
• Anyone who wants to better support people in distress

Adaptations are available for specific populations, including rural communities, veterans, and underserved groups.

What Participates Learn

Participants in TMF-CSPP gain practical, real-world skills, including:

• Understanding suicide as a public health issue
• Recognizing warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors
• How to ask directly about suicide in a safe and respectful way
• How to listen with empathy and reduce stigma
• How to encourage help-seeking and make effective referrals
• Awareness of lethal means safety and safe storage practices
• Trauma-informed communication strategies
• Digital and online suicide prevention awareness
• Supporting individuals affected by suicide loss
• Building hope, resilience, and community connectedness
• Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue for helpers

The curriculum integrates evidence-based models such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means), and safety-planning principles

Program Structure

TMF-CSPP is a modular program consisting of up to ten core learning modules. Sessions can be customized based on audience needs, available time, and setting.

Training formats include:
• Community workshops
• Workplace or organizational trainings
• Faith-based or civic group presentations
• Conferences and special events

Programs typically range from 60 minutes to full-day trainings.

Safety & Ethical Commitment

CSPP follows best practices for suicide prevention education, including:

• Trauma-informed facilitation

• Safe and responsible messaging

• Clear participant boundaries (non-clinical, referral-based)

• Emphasis on participant well-being and emotional safety

• Inclusion of lived experience in program development

The program does not replace mental health treatment and always prioritizes referral to professional and crisis resources when needed.

Outcomes & Impact

CSPP is designed to increase:

• Suicide prevention knowledge
• Confidence in responding to warning signs
• Willingness to talk openly about suicide
• Use of crisis and support resources (e.g., 988)
• Community awareness and stigma reduction

Evaluation tools include pre- and post-training assessments and participant feedback, consistent with national suicide prevention best practices

How To Get Involved

To request a Community Suicide Prevention Program training, partner with TMF, or learn more about this program, please contact us.