Unlock the Next Level of Youth Suicide Prevention
Level up with Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience
Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience (BPO:XP) is a suicide prevention program for youth in grades 7-12. BPO:XP can be completed in school or community settings, in large or small groups, and on a computer, tablet, or cell phone. This brief program fulfills suicide prevention requirements for HB 123/the SAVE Students Act and can be implemented at no cost in Ohio. BPO:XP 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. BPO:XP combines evidence supported strategies effective in youth suicide prevention with feedback from over 1000 youth across the nation. Our teens say BPO:XP is fun, helpful and something everyone should take, Facilitators of the program find it easy to implement and engaging for students, especially those who typically don’t participate in mental health programming.
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 using evidence-informed tools and strategies proven to be 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 create a character – called an avatar – that they can upgrade by earning points throughout the program.
2. From there, they 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 after school meetings.
3. Through videos and online activities, youth learn foundational suicide prevention information and can show off their new skills.
4. After each module, youth complete In Real Life Quests, or IRLs. These activities allow youth to apply what they’ve learned to their own lives and can be completed alone or as a group. Completing these IRLs earns them extra coins to customize their avatars.
5. Upon completing BPO:XP, youth 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 are provided from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Together, we’re changing youth suicide prevention – and youth suicide – in Ohio.
