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A $506,600 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) will fund the
dissemination of SMH’s SOS Middle School Program, a suicide prevention program
for adolescents based on the nationally recognized SOS Signs of Suicide® high
school program. The SOS Middle School Program is for grades 6 through 8. RMHC
funding will allow SMH to offer the program free of charge to 1,000 schools in
the ’06-’07 year.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities is proud to be able to support the SOS Middle
School program in their efforts to help young people and their families
recognize the signs of depression and suicide. Children today are faced with an
ever-increasing number of pressures and temptations. This program will save
lives, giving kids a chance to grow up and lead happy and productive lives,”
says Ken Barun, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“We are very grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities for supporting this
program and recognizing the need to break the stigma surrounding youth
depression and suicide. RMHC’s support is a gift to our nation’s families,”
says Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, SMH founder and President.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among children, ages 10-19. In
addition, adolescent suicidal behavior is highly prevalent and deemed
underreported because many deaths of this type are classified as unintentional
or accidental.
The middle school program helps youth recognize the signs of suicide,
depression, and self-injury and respond to them effectively, using the ACT
model (Acknowledge, Care and Tell). The program is implemented in one to two
classroom periods by existing school staff. The main teaching tool is a video
that incorporates peer intervention as part of its implementation strategy.
Other components include student educational materials and stickers to
reinforce the program’s messages, a strong parental component including an
educational newsletter, and training materials for faculty and staff.
The middle school program was developed with support from the MetroWest
Community Health Care Foundation in Framingham, MA.
“We must stop the growing epidemic of teen suicide and self-injury. Prevention
and education are key to this effort and the SOS Middle School Program has the
tools to make it happen. The MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation is
proud to sponsor the development of this important program,” says Martin D.
Cohen, President and CEO, MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation.
For more information or to register for Screening for Mental Health’s SOS
Suicide Prevention programs for high schools and middle schools please call
781-239-0071 or visit our
website.
About RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates,
finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of
children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer
help where children need it most — right in their own communities. RMHC makes
an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through its global network of
local Chapters in nearly 50 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald
McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room™ and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile™.
RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $440
million in grants and program services to children’s programs around the world.
For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.
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Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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