Youth Suicide and Self-Injury Prevention

SOS Signs of Suicide^® High School Program

The SOS Signs of Suicide High School Program incorporates peer intervention as part of its implementation strategy. Research indicates that adolescents are more likely to turn to peers than adults when facing a suicidal crisis. By training students to recognize the signs of depression, self-injury and suicidality, and empowering them to intervene when confronted with a friend who is exhibiting these symptoms, SOS capitalizes on an important social/emotional aspect of this developmental period.

In a randomized control study, the SOS program showed a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40% (BMC Public Health, 2007).

The goals of the program include:

• Helping students understand that depression is a treatable illness.
• Teaching, through videos and discussion guides, that suicide is NOT a normal response to stress, but rather is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression.
• Encouraging and engaging students to discuss emotional issues with friends and parents.
• Training students to utilize the peer-to-peer help-seeking model known as ACT^® (Acknowledge-Care-Tell).

SOS Signs of Suicide High School Kit includes

• Implementation Guide: Step-by-step instructions including training materials, educational resources, lesson plans and templates (English and Spanish)
• Updated Educational DVD and Discussion Guide: The Friends for Life: Preventing Teen Suicide DVD teaches the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide, and how to intervene. Click here to preview the DVD.
• NEW! “Training Trusted Adults” DVD
• Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression: A screening tool for depression (parent and student versions)
• High School Student Newletter: Helpful articles, facts, tips and resources
• Additional Resources: Wallet cards, posters and postvention guidelines
• NEW! Plan, Prepare, Prevent: The SOS Online Gatekeeper Training