In accordance with the Governor’s Proclamation 20-25, “Stay Home, Stay Healthy,” and to protect the health and safety of Washingtonians and our employees, at this time, there is restricted public access to the OSPI building. OSPI will continue serving the public via phone, email, and the website.
See OSPI’s COVID-19 guidance and resources for educators, students, and families.
Ann Gray
Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Program Supervisor
360-725-6071
Ella DeVerse
School Safety and Student Well-Being Program Supervisor
360-725-6031
Mike Donlin
School Safety Center Program Supervisor
360-725-6044
Many students, educators, and their families may need additional support because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources on this page are intended to support school districts, schools, students, parents, and families in recognizing and responding to signs of emotional and behavioral distress.
Please note that in many cases, these resources are free to use online, but are not openly licensed for wide scale reuse and adaptation.
Anyone feeling stressed, anxious, or lonely due to COVID-19 can call WA Listens at 1-833-681-0211 to speak with a support specialist. The program is in partnership with Crisis Connections, tribes, and behavioral health providers around the state who are staffing the support line, as well as providing outreach throughout their communities to better support individuals and families as we experience challenges and angst that have come from the pandemic.
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.
The Well-Being Series is a series of webinars for families and educators including; LEARN Saves Lives Suicide Prevention Training, Educator Wellness 4-Part Webinar Series, and Student Life Skills to Survive & Thrive During COVID-19 & Beyond.
As a part of The Well-Being series, The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) is partnering with Forefront Suicide Prevention Center & DBT in Schools to bring you a 16-lesson online curriculum for DBT STEPS-A and 2 Q&A sessions with the trainers. The MHTTC Network is launching a webinar series on clinical innovations in telehealth learning. This is a weekly online series targeting high-priority clinical issues for providers using telehealth.
Families can call 1-833-303-5437, Monday through Friday from 8–5 pm, to connect with a referral specialist. The Mental Health Referral Service will provide thorough mental health referrals for children and teens 17 and younger from across Washington.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has compiled a selection of web pages and information sheets on mental health and coping with the effects of COVID-19. These resources are a selection from key organizations in the field.
Specific recommendations, guidance, and resources provided by Child Trends and the Child Trauma Training Center at the University of Massachusetts Resources. Child Trends: Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Tools and guidance from the Mental Health First-Aid curriculum to provide support to those around you during the COVID-19 pandemic. How to Help Someone with Anxiety or Depression During COVID-19.
Confident Action and Referral by Educators (CARE) is a research-backed, web-based course to provide educators and other school staff guidance to help students who may be going through difficult times. The program is designed to give educators the tools and confidence to identify students who may be at risk for emotional or behavioral distress, including suicide, substance use, violence, and sexual abuse. The module meets the criteria set forth by RCW 28A.320.127 which requires educators receive training on how to recognize and respond to students experiencing emotional or behavioral distress. CARE may be taken individually or in a group, and a Facilitator Guide is provided to guide staff through the specific examples, discussion questions, additional resources, and role play exercises.
COVID19 Guidance: Screening for Suicide Risk during Telehealth Visits, which presents evidence-based best practices that health systems and providers can take to provide suicide risk screening for telehealth visits COVID Guidance: Screening for Suicide Risk during Telehealth Visits.
Headspace for Educators offers free access to all K–12 teachers, school administrators, and supporting staff in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Helping you be kind to yourself, your health, and guide your students and their parents through this difficult time.
The True North Behavioral Health Resources webpage provides resources for teachers, school mental health staff, youth, and families offered in our region.
Education resources including mental health for kids and families during the Coronavirus pandemic. A menu of helpful links and posts supporting families and educators as we adjust to our new learning environment at home. Follow their blog entries for the latest on how they are responding to COVID-19.
The Basic Plan Template provides guidelines and suggestions to district or school staff on safety planning. This Worksheet expands on the Basic Plan Template, walking through the process section by section. This Guidance document provides definitions and steps in the process of developing a COOP. For a webinar on developing a COOP, see Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning and Developing a COOP Annex.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This lifeline offers prevention and crisis resources for those in crisis and their loved ones as well as provides best practice resources for professionals. Call at 1-800-273-8255 or chat with the Lifeline.
The Trevor Project Lifeline provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults under 25. This Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call at 1-888-488-7386, Text START to 678678, or chat with the Trevor Project lifeline.
The Mental health crisis lines listed below are available for all people in Washington. These lines are listed by county for local access. These crisis lines are available for all Washingtonians (regardless of your insurance status or income level). View a list of numbers organized by County.
This recovery help line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for help and support for substance abuse, problem gambling and mental health. Call 1-866-789-1511 or Email recovery@crisisclinic.org (allow 1–2 days for response to Emails). You can also text 1-866-789-1511 between the hours of 9am–9pm, Monday–Friday.