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SOS HIGH SCHOOL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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FOR WHAT GRADES OR AGES IS THE SOS PROGRAM APPROPRIATE?
The SOS program is appropriate for secondary schools, grades 8-12.
IS FORMAL TRAINING NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE SOS PROGRAM?
The SOS kit is designed to provide everything needed to implement the program
successfully. The kit includes a procedure manual with best practice guidelines
and a training video for staff. No formal training is necessary.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PLAN AND PREPARE THE SOS PROGRAM?
The time it takes to implement the SOS Program varies depending upon a number
of factors, such as whether a parent night is planned as part of your program,
if community-based providers will be invited to help implement SOS, if parental
permission will be obtained, if in-service training will be provided for school
staff, if permission slips are to be sent home to parents, etc. Allow at least
two weeks to familiarize yourself with the materials, and orient your team, and
plan the details of implementing the program.
HOW MANY STAFF MEMBERS ARE NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE SOS PROGRAM?
The number of individuals needed to implement the program can vary. Factors
that can influence the number of staff needed are dependent upon the number of
students participating in the program, whether you plan to offer a parent night
event, level of staff training, community organization involvement, and the
structure you choose to implement the program. The number of individuals
involved can range from one person to an entire team of individuals depending
upon the format you choose to use.
CAN SITES OTHER THAN SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT THE SOS PROGRAM?
Yes. Any professional organization that serves youth can purchase and implement
the SOS program. Non-school organizations that have used the SOS program
include mental health organizations, child psychiatric units, hospitals, youth
social clubs (ex. Big Brothers, Big Sisters), religious education groups, and
juvenile justice providers. However, at least one person on the implementation
team should be a licensed mental health provider familiar with mental health
concerns among youth and handling crises.
HOW MANY SCHOOLS HAVE USED THE SOS PROGRAM?
More than 2500 schools have implemented the program since its inception,
throughout every state in the country.
DO I HAVE TO USE THE SCREENING TOOL PROVIDED IN THE SOS KIT?
While we highly recommend using both the screening tool and the educational
video components, schools are not required to use the screening tool. The 40%
reduction in suicide attempts in the randomized controlled study is a result of
schools using both the screening and education components.
DOES THE PROGRAM ADDRESS THE INCREASED RISK FOR GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL YOUTH?
While we have data about the increased risks for suicide attempts and ideation
among this population, we do not have mortality data to indicate whether this
risk group is also at risk for suicide. We address this issue of increased risk
(for attempts and ideation) in the video by having one of the video vignettes
discuss a breakup with “Chris”, a gender neutral name purposely used to provide
those implementing the program with a format in which they can facilitate a
discussion about this topic, using questions included in the video discussion
guide, should they wish to do so.
DO YOU HAVE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION AVAILABLE TO DESCRIBE THE DETAILS OF THE
SOS PROGRAM?
Yes. A PowerPoint Presentation is available upon request for anyone who wishes
to present the details of the SOS program by calling the SOS office.
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