Rmhc

A grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is funding the dissemination of Screening for Mental Health™, Inc’s (SMH) 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 is allowing 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 three 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.

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

For more information about the SOS program or the outreach described here, call (800) 253-7658, ext. 108 or
Email: Champions @ mentalhealthscreening.org