SOS
The teen years are marked by a roller coaster ridge of emotions – difficult for teens, their families, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates double.
The Linn-Mar Community School District is implementing the SOS Signs of Suicide ® Prevention Program in order to proactively address this issue. At Oak Ridge, we are offering depression screening and suicide prevention training. The SOS Program has been used by thousands of schools over the past decade, and is has proven successful at increasing help-seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend. SOS is the only school-based suicide prevention program selected by SAMSHA for its National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts.
Our goals in participating in this program are as follows:
• To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness, and help them assess whether or not they may have symptoms consistent with depression.
• To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression.
• To provide students tools to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend.
• To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a trusted adult about their concerns.
At Oak Ridge, SOS will be implemented in health classes in the following manner:
7th Grade and 8th Grade: The SOS program will be implemented at both grade levels over two or three health classes, with students watching “A Time to ACT” video about depression, the signs of suicide, and steps to take if there is concern that a friend or loved one is at risk. Health teachers and counselors will facilitate discussion and SOS lessons.
The SOS depression screening tool will be offered at the 7th and 8th grade levels, and addresses thoughts and feelings which parents may be unaware their child is having. This tool does not provide a diagnosis for depression, but does give an indication of whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
Please contact Jacob Young at 319-447-3337 or jacob.young@linnmar.k12.ia.us