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:

Middle School Program
High School Program

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...

  1. Students watch an educational video and participate in guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are worried about a friend.
  2. Students complete a depression screening that indicates whether they have symptoms that may be consistent with depression (learn more about depression screening).
  3. Students complete a response slip noting whether they would like to speak to an adult following the presentation.
  4. School staff follow up with students as needed and notify parents of any follow-up conversation with their child.
  5. Some students may benefit from further assessment from a mental health professional. School staff provide families with resources and referral information.

Interested in Implementing SOS?

Complete the form below to request program support and training from the TCMHS Prevention Team or contact us at info@encouragehopeandhelp.com.

SOS Request Form

Have SOS data to report? Please complete this form.

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.
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Encourage Hope and Help is a suicide prevention website for youth (ages 10-24), parents, educators, LGBTQ, attempt survivors, loss survivors, veterans, and community members in the Kansas City area. Through education and prevention efforts, we strive to end youth suicide.

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Encourage Hope and Help
4 days ago
Encourage Hope and Help
If someone you know tells you they’ve been thinking about suicide, don’t forget to take the last step and #BeThe1To follow up with them. It can make all the difference. #SPM22

If someone you know tells you they’ve been thinking about suicide, don’t forget to take the last step and #BeThe1To follow up with them. It can make all the difference. #SPM22 ... See MoreSee Less

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Encourage Hope and Help
1 week ago
Encourage Hope and Help
When our communities practice acceptance and understanding of differences, we can significantly reduce the risk of suicide in LGBTQ people. Learn more about how suicide and LGBTQ people at www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/category/talking-about-suicide/. #SPM22 #BeThere

When our communities practice acceptance and understanding of differences, we can significantly reduce the risk of suicide in LGBTQ people. Learn more about how suicide and LGBTQ people at www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/category/talking-about-suicide/. #SPM22 #BeThere ... See MoreSee Less

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Encourage Hope and Help
2 weeks ago
Encourage Hope and Help
Join Smithville Family Worship Center for a Certified Leadership Coaching Training on Oct. 10-14 from 8am to 5pm! This is not a faith-based training. Contact Melissa Arnold at marnoldfwcsmithville@gmail.com to sign-up or to request more information.

Join Smithville Family Worship Center for a Certified Leadership Coaching Training on Oct. 10-14 from 8am to 5pm! This is not a faith-based training.

Contact Melissa Arnold at marnoldfwcsmithville@gmail.com to sign-up or to request more information. ... See MoreSee Less

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Encourage Hope and Help
2 weeks ago
Encourage Hope and Help
If someone you know is thinking about suicide, #BeThe1To help them connect to resources. Help them build a support system, including 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, family, friends, clergy, coaches, coworkers, or therapists. #SPM22

If someone you know is thinking about suicide, #BeThe1To help them connect to resources. Help them build a support system, including 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, family, friends, clergy, coaches, coworkers, or therapists. #SPM22 ... See MoreSee Less

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Encourage Hope and Help
3 weeks ago
Encourage Hope and Help
If you ask someone if they are thinking about suicide and they say yes, #BeThe1To keep them safe. Separate them from anything they are thinking of using to hurt themselves. #SPM22

If you ask someone if they are thinking about suicide and they say yes, #BeThe1To keep them safe. Separate them from anything they are thinking of using to hurt themselves. #SPM22 ... See MoreSee Less

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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Contact Us

Email info@encouragehopeandhelp.com Phone Number
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This website was developed [in part] under a grant number 1H79SM062907-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.

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