What is Signs of Suicide?
Program Overview
- Evidence-based universal suicide prevention program
- Designed for middle school and high school students
- For schools and other youth-serving organizations
- Can be implemented in-person or virtual
- Program Includes: videos, classroom discussion, student response slips, and an optional short, non-diagnostic depression screening
- Provided materials for training a site implementer, staff, and parents
Want to Learn More?
Go to https://www.mindwise.org/.
SOS Signs of Suicide is an evidence-based program designed for middle and high school students that teaches youth to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their friends. SOS has been distributed to over 10,000 schools and organizations across the country.
SOS student training can take place in as little as one class period. There are two primary components:
The ACT Message
Acknowledge…
…that you’re seeing signs of depression and/or suicide in yourself and others.
Care…
…by letting them know you’re worried about them.
Tell…
…a trusted adult.
On the day of the program...
- Students watch an educational video and participate in guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are worried about a friend.
- Students complete a depression screening that indicates whether they have symptoms that may be consistent with depression (learn more about depression screening).
- Students complete a response slip noting whether they would like to speak to an adult following the presentation.
- School staff follow up with students as needed and notify parents of any follow-up conversation with their child.
- Some students may benefit from further assessment from a mental health professional. School staff provide families with resources and referral information.
SOS Student Videos
Check out the SOS program trailers below!
What the Program Includes
Here are some of the other materials included in the SOS program.
SOS Quick-Start Guide
The SOS Quick-Start Guide is a 7-page guide to walk you through how to get started with SOS. Topics include tips for program preparation, classroom training, following up with students, training faculty and staff, and engaging parents.
Supplemental Lesson Plans
Lesson plans can be used to extend SOS programming or added to an existing health curriculum, and address topics such as talking to trusted adults, identifying and building healthy coping skills, and building resilience.
Faculty/Staff Training
Use the ACT message to train faculty and staff at your school on how to respond to a student in crisis. Provided materials include the 16-minute Training Trusted Adults video, a sample slide deck, and an informational handout.
Refresher Videos
SOS includes shorter videos that can be used as refresher content with students who have been trained in previous years.
Reinforcement Materials
Giveaway materials such as posters, newsletters, and more to reinforce the ACT message with your students. Students can also access our ACT webpage to learn more and be directed to resources outside the classroom.
Parent Engagement Materials
Keep parents informed and involve them in your suicide prevention efforts. Materials include a sample slide deck for a parent night, short videos on topics specific to parents, sample active and passive consent letters, and a parent page where parents can explore SOS from home.
SOS Online
SOS Signs of Suicide is a fully digital program that requires only an internet connection. Your school will receive a unique login to the online portal, where you can stream program videos and download all program materials.
New program developments are automatically added to your portal as they become available. SOS is priced on an annual, per-school basis.
