It’s time for Be Present Ohio to level up
Introducing a New Suicide Prevention Program – Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience
Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience (BPO:XP) is our new suicide prevention program for teens in grades 7-12. BPO:XP is created for large or small groups of teens and can be completed in school or community settings on a computer, tablet, or cell phone. This brief program packages life-saving suicide prevention content into a series of self-paced modules that teach youth about:
- The warning signs of suicide
- Ways to support each other and talk about mental health
- How to cope during hard times and reach out for help
What makes BPO:XP different than other programs?
1. It’s easy for you to implement. Just make sure each student has some headphones and a device to get on the Internet, then have your team’s facilitator follow the instructions in our facilitator guide to get everyone started.
2. It’s innovative. BPO:XP uses video game elements to engage young people around tough topics like mental health, suicide and how they can make a difference in their own lives or the lives of their friends.
3. It makes an impact. Experts in youth suicide prevention gathered feedback from over 1,000 teens to ensure that the content of BPO:XP meets teens where they are and that it addresses these important topics in ways that connects with them.
Who is BPO:XP for?
BPO:XP is a prevention and education program that is designed to help any teen, not just those with known mental health concerns. The goal is to help youth prepare for crisis – in themselves or others – so they are comfortable talking about mental health and reaching out for help when they need it. BPO:XP also gives youth a chance to explore and practice coping skills that may help them deal with negative emotions and events.
BPO:XP was created by mental health experts and is evidence-informed, which means it’s based on what research shows is effective for youth suicide prevention. Special care has been taken to support youth participants in learning about these challenging topics, but BPO:XP should still be completed under the guidance and supervision of an adult facilitator who can check in with youth participants during and after their time with the program.
How does BPO:XP work?
1. Once youth log in, they’ll create a character – called an avatar – that they can upgrade by earning points throughout the program.
2. From there, they’ll run through BPO:XP’s three modules:
- Let’s Talk
- Tune In
- Build Skills
These modules are designed to be completed in two or three 40-minute sessions, making them easy to complete across class periods or afterschool meetings.
3. Through videos and online activities, youth will learn foundational suicide prevention information and can show off their new skills.
4. Youth will complete In Real Life Quests, or IRLs, alone or as a group throughout BPO:XP that allow them to apply what they learn in their own lives. Completing these IRL’s earns them extra coins to customize their avatars.
5. Upon completing BPO:XP, youth will receive a takeaway sheet personalized with a list of crisis resources, coping skills, trusted adults, and conversation starters they selected during the program. This will help them handle challenging mental health concerns or get help before a crisis escalates.
Who created BPO:XP?
BPO:XP was developed by a collaborative team involving the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, which runs Be Present Ohio, subject matter experts from the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and digital learning professionals from BMC Media. Funding and support was also provided from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Together, we’re changing youth suicide prevention – and youth suicide – in Ohio.
