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The Department of Public Health’s Suicide Prevention Program is making available a limited number of SOS Signs of Suicide® Program kits for Massachusetts’s high schools and middle schools. The program will be offered free of charge to a limited number of schools that respond that have not used the program in the past. Schools must attend one of the two scheduled trainings in order to qualify for a free kit.

In Massachusetts, suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.¹ According to the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Education, 27% of the students surveyed reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they stopped doing some usual activities. 13% of students surveyed in 2005 seriously considered suicide, while 6% made an actual attempt. A new question was added in 2005 designed to solicit information on such behaviors as “cutting” and other deliberate self-harm. 14% of males and 23% of females reported intentionally injuring themselves.

The SOS High Program has been shown to reduce suicide attempts by 40% in a randomized controlled study.² The new Middle School Program is modeled after the high school program. Existing school personnel can implement the SOS program during one classroom period. Both programs use a video-based curriculum to help youth recognize the signs of depression and suicide and learn the ways to effectively respond to a friend who may be at risk. Youth may disclose the need for help to any adult. Therefore, educational materials for staff and parents are also provided to ensure that they know the signs to watch for and ways to effectively respond to a youth seeking help. To register for a free training and receive your free kit, download the invitation now !

¹ 2003 Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. MA Dept of Public Health
² American Journal of Public Health, March 2004