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‘Every young person matters:” Teen Outreach expands youth mental health program

By Karen Mansfield 5 min read
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UPMC Washington Teen Outreach is launching two new educational programs aimed at reducing teen suicides. Pictured are members of the UPMC Washington Teen Outreach executive board when the Road to Mental Health Education program was formed in 2023.
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UPMC Washington Teen Outreach is launching two new educational programs aimed at reducing teen suicides. Pictured are members of the UPMC Washington Teen Outreach executive board when the Road to Mental Health Education program was formed in 2023.

For Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski, the mission is personal. As founder of the UPMC Washington Teen Outreach, Podgurski has spent nearly four decades passionately working to close the gap between kids in crisis and the care they need.

And now, Teen Outreach is expanding one of its education programs, the Road to Mental Health Education, to reduce teen suicide by meeting the mental health needs of teens.

“I’m seeing more depression and anxiety than I have ever seen,” said Podgurski,” who felt compelled to confront the issue of teen suicide after the deaths of four Washington County teens aged 15 or under in a short span. “That was my catalyst. When I found out about those suicides, I said, ‘What am I waiting for?'”

The suicide rate for school-age children has surged by more than 50% since 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. And for every youth suicide, the CDC estimates there are 10 emergency room visits for self-harm, 48 suicide attempts, and 325 young people who seriously consider suicide each year.

In 2024, Teen Outreach launched the Road to Mental Health Education to provide tools for parents, teachers, and other adults who serve youths in order for them to be aware of signs of depression and to respond to kids who might be struggling with thoughts of self-harm.

“Teens need to know they are not alone,” said Podgurski.

Phase II of Road to Mental Health Education, now underway, includes three educational programs available in Washington County schools, including SOS Suicide Prevention and Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA). Podgurski will expand the program to other counties if funding becomes available.

The SOS (Signs of Suicide) Suicide Prevention Program is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that teaches middle and high school students how to identify warning signs of suicide and depression, and how to respond.

During the lesson – conducted during one classroom period – students are provided “exit tickets,” or slips, that they can turn in following the program if they want to seek help.

Teen Outreach has partnered with Washington County Mental Health BHDS for the program. School guidance counselors, Teen Outreach-trained SOS facilitators, and mental health counselors work together to connect with the adolescents who are in need of help. According to SOS, about 15% of participating students submit exit tickets.

“So far, six Washington County school districts are participating. At the first school we did, 200 kids participated and 19 of them turned in exit slips,” said Podgurski. “Our goal is to reach each young person with a connection if they feel they need help. If it stops one child from ending his or her life, that’s powerful, that matters. When a life ends at 13, there is nothing you can do but mourn. I want to stop it from happening.”

The tMHFA program is a peer-centered program that equips teens to support each other. The evidence-based training – taught by Teen Outreach staff members who underwent tMHFA training – helps teens build a peer support network that gives students hope and a way forward.

During the 2025-26 school year, the Teen Outreach Adolescent Advisory Board will hold training sessions for more than 70 teens.

The goal is to empower them to make a difference in their own districts, Podgurski said.

So far, 10 Washington County schools have signed up for tMHFA.

“I have believed for 40 years that the best teacher for a teen is another teen. If you can get a teen to tell a teen something, it’s more powerful,” said Podgurski. “Our four professionals who are trained in tMHFA are training 70 to 90 kids – five to 10 in each school – in tMHFA, and when they finish, those young people will be certified as tMHFA counselors who will be ambassadors for mental health in their school district. We want them to know how to react when one of their peers says, ‘This is too much.’ The first line is SOS, and the second line of defense is tMHFA. We want to empower kids to know what resources are available for kids who are having trouble.”

The programs have been funded with a grant from Staunton Farm Foundation.

Podgurski said it’s not too late for a school to become involved. The first Adolescent Advisory Board meeting is Oct. 14 at Washington & Jefferson College.

The first phase of the Road to Mental Health Education program included an Online Parent group – which has grown to include about 500 participants – and two other teen programs.

Interested adults can join the Online Parent group by emailing Podgurski at podmj@healthyteens.com.

In addition, Respect Online, a peer education program, is provided in schools. High school students are trained to teach middle school students respectful online behavior, including boundaries, consent, and online decision-making.

And, teens also meet at the Common Ground Teen Center for a monthly grief and loss discussion group.

Teen Outreach now offers nine programs with a mission to empower teens to discover their own worth.

“I think we are going to save kids with these programs,” said Podgurski. “That is my goal now. Even if we save one life, it will have been worth it. The thought of a young person’s life ending at 13 is appalling. Every young person matters.”

Contact Mary Jo Podgurski with questions at 412-877-4906.

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