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SOS (Signs Of Suicide) Program
SOS (Signs Of Suicide) Program
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 late October and early November. Please contact your child's Healthful Living teacher and Ms. Everitt (HEveritt@wcpss.net) with any questions you may have.