The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions.  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 young people as well.  To proactively address these issues, Davis Drive Middle School is offering depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program to all 7th-grade students.  Seventh-grade students will receive the lesson through their Healthful Living classes (Jaggers/Brockman - October 21st and 24th; Zappia/Johnson - November 18th and 21st).  Students will receive additional information in their Healthful Living class regarding this lesson, its importance, and its impact.  Please contact Helen Everitt, 7th-grade counselor, with any questions or concerns (heveritt@wcpss.net)

 

For more information, please review the following documents:

• The SOS Parent Letter (English)
• The Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression Screening Tool (English)
• The SOS Parent Letter (Spanish)
• The Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression Screening Tool (Spanish)