Sos Testimonials

“The SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program is an invaluable contribution to efforts to prevent suicides among our nation’s youth.”
David Satcher, MD, PhD,
Former US Surgeon General

“One of the beauties of the SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program is that it can easily be replicated. At a time when suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people in the United States between the ages of 15 and 24, it’s not enough for educators and other professionals to wait for those in danger to come forward on their own. By raising the issue of suicide and reaching out to young people who may not have the courage or insight to seek help on their own, schools…are extending a lifeline, even before some teen-agers realize they’re drowning.”
Editorial, The Virginian-Pilot
Wednesday, May 2, 2001

“I was considering a permanent solution to a very temporary set of problems. But I found it very difficult to talk about my feelings with anyone. This program helped me to understand that my feelings were not bad – they were actually kinda normal – but they were not healthy.”
Maggie Ming, 17, student from Norfolk, Virginia, on
how the SOS program kept her from taking her own life.

“The SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program is as important to your school and your students as your fire emergency plan, a designated driver plan, or any other life saving instruction.”
Diane Smallwood, PsyD, NCSP
President, National Association of School Psychologists

“The American School Counselor Association and its members strongly support the SOS High School Suicide Prevention Program. Those who have implemented it in their schools…have found the program to be both safe and effective.”
Kwok-Sze Richard Wong
Executive Director, American School Counselor Association

“The video suggests that if students hear a friend make disturbing statements – such as “I want to die,” or “I wonder what people would do if I weren’t around” – they shouldn’t tell the friend to snap out of it. They shouldn’t think the friend is just blowing off steam, they shouldn’t misinterpret it as an attitude problem, and they shouldn’t promise to keep it a secret. They should ACT.”
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
“Video offers messages of hope to students”

“The materials provided by the SOS initiative were excellent which makes the screening and educational component easy to implement. The program provides helpful information to students so that they can make better choices in their lives. I encourage all of our members to consider this unique suicide prevention program as an educational resource for your school.”
Rocco Marano
National Association of Secondary School Principals