Mental Health Professionals

Purpose

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Mental health professionals are the clinical backbone of Dare To Live. They ensure
peer-led activities are conducted safely, ethically, and in line with best practices.
Their role bridges the gap between student peer support and professional mental
health care, ensuring that high-risk youth receive timely, appropriate intervention.

Key Responsibilities

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Training & Capacity Building

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• Lead training sessions for peer leaders on suicide prevention warning signs, crisis
de-escalation techniques, and mental health first aid.
• Provide ongoing supervision and mentorship to peer leaders and college
psychology interns.
• Curate and adapt culturally competent training modules.
Webinars & Workshops
• Deliver webinars for students, parents, and educators on topics like anxiety,
depression, coping skills, trauma, and resilience.
• Participate in community panels and school events.
• Develop resources that demystify therapy and break stigma around seeking
professional help.
Consultation & Case Review
• Offer scheduled consultation sessions for peer leaders to discuss difficult
situations.
• Provide immediate support when students disclose suicidal ideation or high-risk
behaviors.
• Advise on escalation protocols and referrals.

Crisis Support & Risk Management

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• Serve as on-call experts during Dare To Live events and peer circles.
• Guide peer leaders through proper steps when encountering at-risk students.
• Coordinate referrals to counselors, crisis lines, or emergency services when
necessary.
Partnership & Advocacy
• Collaborate with schools, shelters, and community clinics to improve access to
services.
• Advocate for culturally relevant care for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and underserved youth.
• Assist in building referral pipelines to affordable therapy services.
Resource Development
• Contribute to Dare To Live’s toolkits, self-help guides, and awareness campaigns.
• Create mental health literacy materials for students and parents.
• Review peer-led content for accuracy and safety.

Time Commitment

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- Quarterly trainings for peer leaders.
- Monthly consultation calls with student leaders.
- Webinars or panel appearances as available.
- On-call availability for urgent high-risk cases.

Impact

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By joining Dare To Live, mental health professionals:
- Ensure youth-led initiatives remain safe and credible.
- Provide underserved students with access to professional-level guidance.
- Strengthen the bridge between peer support and professional therapy.
- Empower a generation of student leaders to carry forward mental health advocacy.

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