LifeAct is pleased to be state certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Service

Cleveland- based LifeAct receives official state certification for their work in preventing youth and teen suicide.

Chagrin Falls, Ohio – Now celebrating its 20th year of in-school depression awareness and suicide prevention education across Northeast Ohio, LifeAct is proud to announce that they have received state certification by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a prevention provider. After a rigorous review process, LifeAct received interim certification during the Spring of 2020 and recently received official 2-year certification.

A 2018 Centers for Disease Control survey reports the percentage of Cleveland high school students who attempted suicide is the second highest rate among the 21 urban school systems surveyed in the U.S. in 2017. This survey found 18.6% of Cleveland students have attempted suicide, which is more than double the national average of 7.4%. LifeAct works to curb this disturbing trend through our innovative, award winning program that teaches middle and high school students how to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others, and how to receive help. The tools taught in the LifeAct program are ones that stay with students for a lifetime.

Colleen Jost, Director of Programs at LifeAct notes “State certification demonstrates not only the efficacy of the LifeAct program in preventing youth and teen suicide, but demonstrates that LifeAct and its instructors uphold the highest of standards when reaching middle and high school students throughout the state.”

LifeAct, based out of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving young lives and reversing these alarming trends. Through our award winning, evidence-based programming for both middle and high schoolers, we teach students to manage stress, recognize the signs of depression and how to access the tools to help themselves and others. Our caring instructors facilitate learning and collaboration with the students by teaching this sensitive topic in a small group setting. By focusing on helping students to reach out when they or others need help, we empower them to take the steps towards a healthy and productive life. This abbreviated school year alone, more than 23,000 students at more than 174 schools participated in the lifesaving LifeAct program and more than 2,880 sought help.

LifeAct’s CEO, Jack Binder, notes that “Now in its 20th year of programming, LifeAct is poised to reach a greater number of young people than ever before – and with the long lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health education has never been more important or vital to our community’s young people.”