SOS 25-26

Student Services Updates

7th Grade: Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program 25-26

The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions—difficult for youths, their parents, and educators.  It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) and self-injury appear to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression—which is treatable—is a leading risk factor for suicide and self-injury. To proactively address these issues, we are offering depression awareness and suicide prevention training to our 7th-grade students as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program.  The program has proven to be successful at increasing help-seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend and is the only school-based suicide prevention program listed by SAMHSA for its National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression while reducing suicide attempts.  The counselors, along with the Healthful Living teachers, will teach this curriculum to 7th-grade students in November and early December. Please see the schedule below:

• October 29th, 3rd period: Track 4 (Nichols, Jackson, Fox, Hayes)

• November 6th, 4th period: Track 2 (Nichols, Jones, Palen) 

• November 7th, 4th period: Track 1 (Bullock, Jackson, Fox, Hayes)

• November 18th, 3rd period: Track 3 (Bullock, Jones, Palen)

Parents/ Guardians may opt their students out of this program by returning the letter linked below:

25-26 SOS Parent Letter

This letter will also be sent home prior to each track's SOS lesson date.

Additional SOS Resources

The BSAD (Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression) is a self-survey for students. Students will not be given this survey at school and it is optional. Families can use the BSAD survey with their students to determine adolescent depression risk.