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) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression—which is treatable—is a leading risk factor for suicide. In addition, self-injury has become a growing problem among youth.
To proactively address these issues, Wakefield Middle School is offering depression awareness and suicide prevention training 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. In a randomized control study, the SOS high school program showed a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40% (BMC Public Health, July 2007).
Our goals in participating in this program are straightforward:
To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness
To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression
To provide students training in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend
To impress upon youth that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns
To help students know whom in the school they can turn to for help, if they need it
This topic is part of the Healthful living standard course of study. The goal is to educate your child and to give them guidance on how to get help for themselves or a friend. The program has several skits that illustrate real life situations that middle or high school students may experience. The skits show the students how to correctly and safely deal with each scenario. You know your child best and if your child is sensitive to this topic, please contact your child's counselor.
For more information please visit www.mindwise.org/parents
23-24 7th Graders will have their Signs of Suicide lesson in Health Class the week of October 16th or the week of April 15th (depending on whether your child has Health/PE during the first or second semester).
Sample - Assessment form given to students at the end of the lesson.
Parent Information Letter and Opt-Out Form
Parent Information Letter and Opt-Out Form - Spanish
*If choosing to opt-out, you may return the signed form or email the 7th grade counselor directly, ccox2@wcpss.net
In North Carolina, 7th, 8th and 9th grade students have lessons on safety around the topic of Human Trafficking.
Parent Information and Opt-Out Forms will be available here as soon as we receive them from WCPSS.