Title of Presentation:

Key Warning Signs of Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Best Practices in Children and Youth

Description of Presentation:

Key Warning Signs of Early Onset Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Best Practices meets the state requirements for educator licensure renewal. Attendees will learn strategies, interventions, accommodations, and modifications to help students flourish emotionally and socially in school settings and in the community.  The presenter describes signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and youth, including developmental differences from infant and early childhood through transition age youth. Resources will be shared to help educators, families and other professionals connect children and youth with appropriate levels of care when needed. A comprehensive school wide toolkit for prevention, intervention, and postvention of suicide will be discussed and shared with participants. 

Deborah Cavitt, MS, Manager of Advocacy and Education - Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

About the Presenter:

Deborah Cavitt, MS is an advocate, trainer, and project director for Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH). Cavitt gives presentations and works on projects with schools, children, youth, parents, and professionals to increase understanding and reduce the stigma related to mental health disorders. As a parent coach and advocate, she helps families navigate systems on their journey of raising a child with mental health challenges. Deborah has a master’s degree in human services with specializations in mental health and substance use counseling and a bachelor’s degree in education. Before joining MACMH, she worked as a prevention specialist and grant coordinator for a substance abuse treatment agency in Iowa City. Preceding her mental health and substance use prevention work, she was a teacher for over twenty years, working on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota.