Lighting the Path Project and a Mental Health Framework for Schools and Communities
- Brainz Magazine
- May 21
- 3 min read
Written by Clint Adams, Mental Health Advocate & Coach
Clint Adams is an author who wrote a book on suicide prevention. He has appeared on numerous podcasts and has been a guest speaker on mental health and promoting resilience.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people globally. But we often forget that adults are struggling too, such as teachers, parents, and community members. The warning signs are there: rising rates of self-harm, chronic anxiety, and disengagement from life. The common thread? A lack of coping strategies, emotional education, and meaningful support systems. We need a whole-of-community response.
Lighting the path: A school and community mental health framework
This program, Lighting the Path Project, is grounded in what I’ve learned through my professional experience, academic background in psychology and resilience, and countless conversations with those who have walked through darkness and come out the other side.
School-based resilience curriculum
Resilience is not a personality trait; it is a skill we can teach. We need to embed age appropriate resilience education into the school curriculum, not as a one off wellbeing day but as a continuous practice.
Primary years: Teach students how to name their emotions, manage frustration, and develop empathy.
Middle school: Introduce social resilience by teaching how to deal with rejection, peer conflict, online pressures, and failure.
High school: Equip teens with real world tools, such as managing anxiety, seeking help, navigating uncertainty, and preparing for adult pressures.
Suicide prevention in schools
Suicide prevention doesn’t start at crisis point. It starts with early recognition, open conversations, and consistent support. I advocate for the following structures in every school:
Staff training: Teachers and admin must learn to recognize early signs of distress and refer students without stigma. They should also be trained in teacher-facilitated sessions to enhance crucial skills for personal and group resilience.
Peer support networks: Students often turn to their friends first. Training peer ambassadors to spot signs and refer safely can be lifesaving.
Crisis protocols: Every school needs a clear, compassionate, and immediate response process for students in crisis.
Engaging parents and families
Parents are our first line of defense, but many feel ill-equipped to talk about mental health. We need to educate and empower families through:
Workshops on emotional coaching, anxiety management, and how to talk about suicide without fear.
Take-home resilience packs, including exercises and conversation guides that help build emotional skills together.
Parent support hubs, with peer-led gatherings where parents can share experiences and get guidance.
Community collaboration and mental health awareness
True change requires the whole community to take ownership of mental health. That includes local councils, health professionals, sports clubs, religious organizations, and businesses. We must:
Run public mental health campaigns that normalize help-seeking and celebrate emotional growth. Also, train local resources on key principles of the holistic approach behind the Lighting the Path Project.
Host annual resilience festivals or summits where the community comes together to learn, connect, and support mental wellness.
Partner with local media to highlight mental health stories of hope, not just tragedy. Focus on the positive deviants.
Measuring impact and creating a legacy
A successful program isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about transforming culture. We should track progress through:
Surveys on school climate and student connectedness
Trends in help-seeking behavior and counselor visits
Feedback from teachers, students, and parents
But the biggest measure of success? Fewer lives lost. More young people feeling seen, heard, and hopeful.
Final words: From silence to strength
When I talk to students, educators, and parents about Lighting the Blue Flame, they often tell me, “This is real. This happened to me, or someone I know.” And that’s exactly why I wrote it. Mental health isn’t a side issue. It’s a foundational part of education, of family life, of leadership. Let’s stop waiting for tragedy to take action. Let’s light the path forward, together.
Read more from Clint Adams
Clint Adams, Mental Health Advocate & Coach
Clint Adams is a former Police officer turned counselor who has worked in numerous industries promoting better mental health and resilience at the school and work level.
He has a background in psychology and behavioural science and is the author of Lighting the Blue Flame, a book aimed at suicide prevention, which is an interactive book with numerous QR codes linking to various sites and additional information.
Further resources:
Lighting the Blue Flame – Available here.
A Guide for Parents, Schools, and Students in Building Resilience – Brainz Magazine.
