Community Sources of Strength Training
What is Sources of Strength?
Sources of Strength is a best practice, evidence led youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention program for schools and communities.
It offers training and curriculum for both youth and adults, using a strength-based, upstream approach to mental health promotion and the prevention of adverse outcomes such as suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse. By reinforcing multiple sources of support, also known as protective factors, this model helps young people build resilience, ensuring they have strengths to lean on during difficult times.
The training brings together teens (peer leaders) in partnership with caring adults (adult advisors) and uses a fun-filled active learning model centered on:
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developing coping skills
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finding inner strengths
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seeking outside help
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building connection with other peers and trusted adults
Increasing resiliency, connection, help-seeking, belonging, protective factors, and healthy coping allows us to have a much more healthy approach to prevention. This is a model where wellness is the goal and prevention is the outcome.
Community Sources of Strength Training
While primarily used in schools, this program is adaptable for families and community members working with youth. It builds resilience by equipping participants to be trusted sources of hope, help, and strength in their own lives and communities.
For those without access to school training, the Ryan Bartel Foundation offers a community version for teens and adults. This 2-3 hour session, led by certified trainers and trained advisors, covers key curriculum elements while incorporating fun, laughter, play, and joy to foster healing, connection, and positive change.
Who is this training suitable for?
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Parents – Learn practical resilience-based strategies to strengthen teen-parent relationships and encourage help-seeking behavior at home.
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Teens – Engage in open discussions about real challenges and discover personal strengths to navigate them.
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Youth groups – Ideal for athletic teams, scout troops, and leadership programs, empowering both teens and adults with an active, strength-based approach to mental wellness.
Simultaneous SOS Training for Teens and Adults:
Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 - 4:30pm
Fusion Academy Loudoun, 19300 Promenade Dr. Suite 200, Leesburg, VA
Parents and their teens must register separately. Follow all instuctions on the forms. If you have any questions, please CONTACT US.
How to book your community training
Group bookings for both adults and teens are available for a minimum of 15 attendees.
To learn more or book your training, please CONTACT US.