Self-Led Training
SOS Signs of Suicide
- Audiences Schools
Overview
SOS Signs of Suicide is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program for grades 6-12 that has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression and a 64% reduction in self-reported suicide attempts.
In one class period, SOS combines brief videos, classroom discussion, and universal depression screening to teach students how to identify signs and symptoms of depression and suicide and to encourage help-seeking behavior. Videos contain age-appropriate dramatizations of students demonstrating common signs of depression and suicide along with the right and wrong ways to respond using the ACT® method (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).
During SOS, students complete a brief depression screening and review help-seeking guidance based on their self-score. Screening can be completed anonymously as a tool to encourage help-seeking, or with students identifying themselves, which may aid staff in recognizing students who require follow-up. After the program, all students complete an exit slip indicating whether they wish to talk to someone about themselves or a friend
Details
- Audience: Middle and High School Students
- Length: 1 hour
- CEs: Not available