Peer Support Worker

Zero Suicide Trainer & Peer Support Specialist

Position Summary

The Zero Suicide Trainer & Peer Support Specialist is responsible for advancing suicide prevention initiatives through education, early intervention, and peer support services. This position focuses on implementing evidence-based suicide prevention programs within schools and community settings using QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) frameworks. The role also provides peer support services to individuals identified as high risk for suicide, promoting safety, recovery, connection to care, and ongoing emotional support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Suicide Prevention Training & Education

• · Deliver QPR and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings to school staff, students, community members and/or organizations, and internally to Prairie View staff, as needed
• · Facilitate educational workshops focused on suicide awareness, stigma reduction, crisis response, and mental wellness.
• · Coordinate and implement school-based early intervention and suicide prevention initiatives.
• · Support implementation of prevention and postvention strategies.
• · Provide consultation and resources to educators and caregivers regarding mental health concerns and suicide risk factors.
• · Maintain training records, participant evaluations, and certification documentation.
• · Stay current on evidence-based suicide prevention practices and Zero Suicide initiatives.

Peer Support Services

• · Provide trauma-informed, recovery-oriented peer support to individuals identified as high risk for suicide.
• · Establish trusting relationships through lived experience, empathy, encouragement, and active listening.
• · Support individuals in developing coping skills, wellness strategies, and personal safety plans.
• · Assist clients with accessing behavioral health, crisis, medical, and community resources.
• · Conduct follow-up outreach and engagement to encourage continuity of care and reduce barriers to treatment.
• · Document peer support activities and maintain confidentiality in accordance with agency policies and HIPAA regulations.

Program Support & Community Engagement

• · Participate in community outreach events promoting suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
• · Collaborate with healthcare systems, crisis response teams, and community agencies to strengthen suicide prevention networks.
• · Assist with data collection, reporting, and program evaluation activities.
• · Support implementation of Zero Suicide framework components across organizational settings.
• · Participate in ongoing supervision, team meetings, and professional development opportunities.