• SAVE Students Act would set new national standard for statewide school safety programs
• Act would require all middle and high school students in MA have access to evidence-based programming like the MindWise Signs of Suicide program
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents aged 10-19
• 17% of youth considered suicide over the past year while 14% made a plan
• Signs of Suicide (SOS) has shown a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by up to 64%

Dedham, MA, June 25, 2019 – Norm Gorin, Vice President at MindWise Innovations, will submit testimony today to the Joint Committee on Education of the Massachusetts state legislature to advocate for suicide prevention education. His statement supports the Safety and Violence Education for Students (SAVE Students) Act (S. 285/H. 483), which would require all middle and high school students in Massachusetts to have access to evidence-based programming like the MindWise Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. The legislation is sponsored by Sandy Hook Promise, which partners with MindWise to offer SOS to middle and high schools throughout the country.

“As a supporter and corporate partner of Sandy Hook Promise, we are committed to stopping gun violence BEFORE it happens,” says Gorin of MindWise, adding that the new legislation would be “a step toward achieving safety for all.” Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 11- to 17-year-olds; however, suicide is preventable. Effective suicide prevention for youth starts by implementing curricula and programming that educate students, school staff, and community advocates and partners about the problem, how it manifests, and how to recognize and address it.

SOS is a curriculum-based program that can be implemented in a single class period and has shown a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40-64% in randomized control studies. SOS uses videos and guided discussion – along with a short depression screening – to teach students the warning signs of suicide and depression and how to respond to them. Students are most likely to reach out to a friend or other member of their school community if they’re feeling depressed or thinking about suicide – SOS is preparing all members of the community to respond safely and proactively when that happens.

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MindWise Innovations equips schools, workplaces, colleges, and communities with tools to help them address mental health issues, substance use, and suicide risk – enabling their members to live healthier lives. Powered by the behavioral health professionals at Riverside Community Care, our suite of products has been proven to reduce suicide attempts and includes online tools and trainings that provide guidance to those struggling with depression, opioid and substance use, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and more.  We use technology to inform community members by providing access to tools that connect them with quality treatment options. Through informing, identifying, and connecting individuals with quality resources, MindWise empowers organizations to promote the wellbeing their community members deserve – and ultimately saves lives.