CHADS Coalition and SOS Signs of Suicide^® Program Join Forces

Youth suicide, like many public health problems, is best addressed through partnerships of like minded organizations that leverage their resources for maximum impact. That is why the SOS Signs of Suicide® Program has teamed up with the CHADS Coalition for Mental Health, a Missouri-based organization dedicated to prevention of adolescent depression and suicide through awareness, education and research.

Larry and Marian McCord founded CHADS Coalition in memory of their son Chad. He was 18 years old when he took his life on April 15, 2004. In October 2003, he was diagnosed with OCD and bipolar disorder. After Chad went into treatment, he vowed to make a difference in people’s lives by bringing mental illness out of the closet. Unfortunately, he died before fulfilling his dream to increase awareness and acceptance of mental illness.  

One of the goals of the CHADS Coalition is to advocate for implementation of the SOS program in all private and public middle/high schools in the St. Louis, MO area. On March 12 and 13, Screening for Mental Health and CHADS provided an SOS training for over 90 guidance counselors, school social workers, teachers and community-based supporters. Feedback from attendees indicates the event gave them confidence and skills needed to educate youth in their communities on the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide.

The SOS kit includes a variety of materials including a student education DVD, a discussion guide, screening forms for students, a training video for staff, and other educational and promotional items. The main objectives of the SOS program are to educate youth that depression is a treatable illness and to equip them to respond to the signs of suicide in a friend or family member by seeking help from a trusted adult using the ACT^® technique – Acknowledge the problem; respond with Care and Tell a trusted adult. 

“Students thinking of suicide will tell their friends first, so all students need to be empowered to recognize the signs of suicide and to respond appropriately to get help,” said Larry McCord, founder and executive director of CHADS. “We need to discuss suicide and depression in order to remove the stigma of mental health issues and to help students get the counseling that they need.” 

To learn more about the CHADS Coalition go to www.chadscoalition.org. For more information on the SOS program or to learn more about training and partnering opportunities go to www.mentalhealthscreening.org or contact Candice Porter at 781- 239-0071 x122.