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Suicide Prevention Program

Posted by Dave Yenzer

12/05/2010

Free Suicide Prevention Program

The SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program is being offered to school districts with a military student population of 20% or more.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds in the United States. A recent study by The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital revealed an 18 percent increase in the suicide rates of youth 10 to 19, following a decade of steady decline.

The emotional crises that precede suicide are many times recognizable and treatable. Good prevention programs can teach youth how to recognize the symptoms of depression – in themselves or a friend.

To help those who may be struggling, Screening for Mental Health® is providing a school-based depression education and suicide prevention program at no cost to highly impacted school districts. The initiative is funded by DoD, Force Health Protection & Readiness.

The evidence-based SOS Signs of Suicide Program teaches adolescents how to identify symptoms of depression and suicide and to respond effectively by seeking help from a trusted adult. The program's primary objectives are to educate youth that depression is a treatable illness and to equip them to respond to a potential suicide in a friend or family member using the ACT® technique (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).

SOS has been used by thousands of high schools and middle schools across the country, and the high school program is the only school-based program shown to reduce suicide attempts in a randomized, controlled study (American Journal of Public Health, March 2004).

To learn more about the SOS Suicide Prevention Program and or to register, call 781.239.0071. Kits of implementation materials/curricula are available in limited supply .