The goal of the SOS program is to educate students about the relationship between suicide and depression and to encourage all students to seek help from trusted adults whether they have concerns about themselves or a friend.
SOS is used in thousands of schools around the country. It is the only youth suicide prevention program that has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression, as well as a reduction in actual suicide attempts (40-60% in randomized studies).
Primary Message of SOS: ACT
SOS, or Signs of Suicide, teaches the ACT method of assisting someone considering suicide: Acknowledge, Care, Tell.
Students learn to:
– Acknowledge that you are seeing signs of depression or suicide in yourself or a friend and that it is serious.
– Let you friend know how much you Care about them and that you are concerned that they need help.
– Tell a trusted adult that you are worried about yourself or a friend.
Training
During the program, students complete depression screenings, watch educational videos, and participate in guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are worried about their own mental health or that of a friends. At the end staff follow up with students as needed offering family resources and refferral information.
Cost of training: 1-30 trainees:$400
Duration: 2-hrs
